The prospective association between loneliness and markers of hearing function among middle-aged and older adults in Europe and the US

Objective Loneliness is often perceived to be a result of hearing loss. There is limited knowledge on whether loneliness predicts risk of hearing impairment. Therefore, the present study examined whether loneliness is prospectively related to lower hearing function, including lower hearing acuity and risk of hearing impairment. Participants Participants (age range: 50–93 years; N > 11,000) were from two population-based, prospective cohort studies: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Loneliness was assessed at baseline in 2008/2010 in HRS and in 2004/2005 in ELSA using the 3-item UCLA Scale. Follow-up audiometric assessments with a HearCheck Screener (Siemens, Germany) were obtained in 2016/2018 in the HRS and 2014/2015 in ELSA. Results Across the two samples, baseline loneliness was associated with lower hearing acuity (Meta-analytic β = −0.05, 95%CI: −0.065;-0.033, p < .001) and higher risk of hearing impairment (Meta-analytic odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.069;1.163, p < .001) at follow-up. The association with both hearing acuity (Pooled β = −0.03, 95%CI: −0.052;-0.009, p = .005) and hearing impairment (Pooled OR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.029–1.142, p = .003) persisted after accounting for c-reactive protein (CRP), diabetes, blood pressure, smoking, depressive symptoms, and social isolation. These associations did not vary by age, sex or hearing aid use. The association between loneliness and hearing function was not driven by negative ratings of hearing at baseline. Conclusions Replicable evidence indicated a prospective association between loneliness and lower hearing function independent of other risk factors. Rather than simply a consequence of hearing impairment, loneliness may also contribute to hearing function.