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

ImportanceHealth-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.ObjectiveTo investigate the 3-year outcomes of hearing intervention vs health education control on health-related quality of life.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis 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.InterventionHearing 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 MeasuresThree-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.ResultsA 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 RelevanceIn 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 RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03243422