Internally Peer Reviewed Loss of hearing and vision in old age robs people of much pleasure. A new study of 5,444 elderly men and women followed 10 years by UCLA investigators tells a lot about hearing and sight loss on the quality of life. Sight and hearing losses are common in those who have otherwise aged well. Both monocular and binocular loss of vision can lead to falls and life threatening hip fracture. One good eye is not enough.
Results can be additive.
Poor sight and hearing lead to isolation, depression, decreased activity and reduced exercise. Disability can become severe. Hearing loss or visual decline is not immediately lifethreatening but quality of life losses are substantial. Hearing loss predicted more loss of heavier activities of daily living. Combined hearing and visual loss was most predictive of ten year loss of independence.