Hearing Loss Tied to Less Physical Activity in Older Adults

A study published in JAMA Network Open associated hearing loss with a poorer physical activity profile, which contributes to accelerated aging, according to Medical Xpress . The researchers observed 291 adults aged 60 to 69 years, and determined that hearing loss significantly corresponded with less time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, less time spent in light-intensity physical activity, more time spent in sedentary activity, and a more fragmented physical activity pattern. The linkage of hearing loss with physical activity metrics was comparable to 7.28 years of accelerated age for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, 5.84 years of accelerated age for light-intensity physical activity, and 10.53 years of accelerated age for degree of physical activity fragmentation, versus normal hearing. "These findings suggest that promoting physical activity among older adults with hearing loss is important, and further research is needed to investigate whether hearing loss interventions could improve physical health profiles," the researchers concluded.