Hearing loss and cognitive impairment among older adults: findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

With the rapid aging of populations, dementia has become a major health problem. Hearing loss is common among older adults and has been recognized as a contributing factor to cognitive impairment and dementia. We aimed to explore the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment in older adults. We also sought to quantify the extent to which the impact of hearing loss on cognitive impairment could be mediated by depression and social isolation.

Methods

We used nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a population-based cohort study. The study population comprised adults aged 60 and older who participated in at least two waves of the CHARLS. Cognitive function was measured based on four dimensions:

SUBMITTER: Zhao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12042542 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature