Greater Hearing Loss Among Elderly Increases Likelihood of Depression

Age-related hearing loss is the third-most common chronic condition in older adults. The condition is known to raise the risk of other conditions, such as cognitive impairment and dementia. But there are few large studies asking whether hearing loss may lead to depression in the elderly — particularly in Hispanics, a group in which depression may be underdiagnosed because of language and cultural barriers.

The researchers analyzed health data from 5,239 individuals over age 50 who were enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Each participant had an audiometric hearing test — an objective way to assess hearing loss — and was screened for depression.

The researchers found that individuals with mild hearing loss were almost twice as likely to have clinically significant symptoms of depression than those with normal hearing. Individuals with severe hearing loss had over four times the odds of having depressive symptoms.

The study looked for an association at a single point in time, so it can’t prove that hearing loss causes depressive symptoms. “That would have to be demonstrated in a prospective, randomized trial,” says Golub. “But it’s understandable how hearing loss could contribute to depressive symptoms. People with hearing loss have trouble communicating and tend to become more socially isolated, and social isolation can lead to depression.”

Although the study focused on Hispanics, the results could be applied to anyone with age-related hearing loss, according to the researchers. “In general, older individuals should get their hearing tested and consider treatment, if warranted,” says Golub.

Drs. Golub and Kim reported receiving travel expenses for education and an industry conference paid for by Cochlear. No other financial or conflicts of interest were reported.

The study was supported by Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Pilot Research Awards from the Columbia University Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and by grants from the National Institute on Aging (K23AG057832 and K24AG045334).

Citation:”Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals.” The other contributors are: Katharine K. Brewster (New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Irving Medical Center); Adam M. Brickman (CUIMC); Adam J. Ciarleglio (NYSPI, CUIMC, and George Washington University, Washington, DC); Ana H. Kim (CUIMC); José A. Luchsinger (CUIMC); and Bret R. Rutherford (NYSPI and CUIMC).