A Hearing Intervention and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults
Authors: Huang Alison R. , Morales Emmanuel Garcia , Arnold Michelle L. , Burgard Sheila , Couper David , Deal Jennifer A. , Glynn Nancy W. , Gmelin Theresa , Goman Adele M. , Gravens-Mueller Lisa , Hayden Kathleen M. , Mitchell Christine M. , Pankow James S. , Pike James R. , Reed Nicholas S. , Sanchez Victoria A. , Schrack Jennifer A. , Sullivan Kevin J. , Coresh Josef , Lin Frank R. , Chisolm Theresa H. ,   ACHIEVE Collaborative Research Group, Albert Marilyn , Betz Joshua , Gross Alden , Myers Clarice , Sharrett Richey , Li David , Backman Bria , Barr Debbie , Evans Joshua , Hampton Jaime , Humphrey-Rutledge Hailley , Liou Kaila H. , Mitchell Ashely , Smith Susan , Shelton Nadine , Burt Jillian , Carr April , Carter Arkenya , Faucette Sarah , Foster Rachel , Greenwood Ceola , Griffin Temeka , Jones Candace , McLendon Dawn , Naylor Stacee , Newman Jenny , O’Connor Deidre , Owens Tiffany , Sims Jeraline , Thweatt Allison , Washington Tamikia , Aguilar Sarah , Anderson Elizabeth , Boelter Sydney , Penland Miller Elizabeth , Ng Debbie , Oeding Kristi , Potter Sandra , Teece Katherine , Uccellini Soni , Waggenspack Matthew , Welch Luanne , Weycker Jacqueline , Witherell Kerry , Minotti Melissa , Bolton Spencer , Sherry Laura , Eddins Ann C. , Moore Emily , Neil Haley , Oree Preyanca , Westermann Laura , Cai Yurun , Jack Clifford R. , Knopman David , Reyes Denise , Spychalla AJ , Thostenson Kaely 
Published: November 2024

Importance

Health-related quality of life is a critical health outcome and a clinically important patient-reported outcome in clinical trials. Hearing loss is associated with poorer health-related quality-of-life in older adults.

Objective

To investigate the 3-year outcomes of hearing intervention vs health education control on health-related quality of life.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial included participants treated for hearing loss at multiple US centers between 2018 and 2019 with 3-year follow-up completed in 2022. Eligible participants were aged 70 to 84 years, had untreated hearing loss, and were without substantial cognitive impairment. Participants were randomized (1:1) to hearing intervention or health education control and followed every 6 months.

Intervention

Hearing intervention (provision of hearing aids and related technologies, counseling, education) or health education control (individual sessions covering topics relevant to chronic disease, disability prevention).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Three-year change in the RAND-36 physical and mental health component scores over 3 years. The 8 individual domains of health-related quality-of-life were additionally assessed. Outcomes measured at baseline and at 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year follow-ups. Intervention effect sizes estimated using a 2-level linear mixed effects model under the intention-to-treat principle.

Results

A total of 977 participants were analyzed (mean [SD] age, 76.8 [4.0] years; 523 female [53.5%]; 112 Black [11.5%], 858 White [87.8%]; 521 had a Bachelor’s degree or higher [53.4%]), with 490 in the hearing intervention and 487 in the control group. Over 3 years, hearing intervention (vs health education control) had no significant association with physical (intervention, −0.49 [95% CI, −3.05 to 2.08]; control, −0.92 [95% CI, −3.39 to 1.55]; difference, 0.43 [95% CI, −0.64 to 1.51]) or mental (intervention, 0.38 [95% CI, −1.58 to 2.34]; control, −0.09 [95% CI, −1.99 to 1.81]; difference, 0.47 [95% CI, −0.41 to 1.35]) health-related quality of life.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, hearing intervention had no association with physical and mental health-related quality-of-life over 3 years among older adults with hearing loss. Additional intervention strategies may be needed to modify health-related quality among older adults with hearing loss.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03243422