Relationships Between Hearing Disability, Quality of Life and Wellbeing in Older Community-Based Australians

Abstract

The aims of this study were to: (1) investigate the relationships between measured hearing impairment and self-reported hearing and communication difficulties (i.e., activity limitations, participation restrictions), health-related quality of life and wellbeing in community-based older Australians; and (2) investigate the influence of age, gender, living situation and hearing aid use on these relationships. Data were collected from 178 older people with hearing impairment. Pure-tone audiometry was used to assess hearing impairment and self-report questionnaires were used to assess activity limitations, participation restrictions, health-related quality of life and wellbeing. Results showed a relationship between hearing impairment and activity limitations, participation restrictions and wellbeing. No relationship was found between measured hearing impairment and healthrelated quality of life. However, significant relationships were evident between hearing difficulties in everyday life (activity limitations and participation restrictions) and health-related quality of life. Gender, living situation and hearing aid use influenced these relationships. The results highlight the far-reaching effects of hearing impairment on the lives of older people and the importance of using self-report measures to understand this.