Hearing loss and well-being among older adults (Gao et al., 2023)

Purpose: Hearing loss (HL) is prevalent and relates to social health in old age. This study aims to examine the association between functional HL and social well-being (SWB) in older adults and to investigate whether psychological resilience mediates this association.Method: The analytical sample of 4,531 older adults aged ≥ 60 years was from the Sample Survey on Vulnerable Populations from Poor Families in Urban/Rural China (2018). SWB was measured by social networks and social engagement using the Lubben Social Network Scale and Index of Social Engagement Scale, respectively. Functional hearing impairment was defined by a dichotomized measure of self-perceived hearing difficulty. Psychological resilience was assessed by a 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Structural equation modeling was performed to determine associations of HL with SWB and the mediating roles of psychological resilience.Results: Functional HL was associated with reduced SWB among older adults living in low-income households. Hearing-impaired individuals were more likely to be socially isolated and less socially engaged compared to those with normal hearing. The association persisted in gender subsamples and in non–low-income households but not in older adults aged ≥ 70 years. Psychological resilience partially mediated the association of hearing impairment with SWB, accounting for 50.9% of the variance in the change of SWB.Conclusions: Functional hearing impairment may be a modifiable risk factor for social restrictions and downstream older adults’ health. Promotion of hearing health care and accessibility to coping resources including psychological support may improve social wellness among the older adults and benefit healthy aging.Supplemental Material S1. Regression results on the association of functional hearing loss, psychological resilience with social isolation, social disengagement, and social activities participation among older adults living in low-income households.Gao, J., Hu, H., & He, H. (2023). Functional hearing impairment, psychological resilience, and social well-being among Chinese older adults in low-income households. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 66(6), 2141–2154. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00209

目的：听力损失（HL）在老年人群中普遍存在，并与社会健康密切相关。本研究旨在探讨功能性听力损失与老年人群社会福祉（SWB）之间的关联，并探究心理韧性是否在二者之间起中介作用。方法：分析样本为来自2018年中国城市/农村贫困家庭脆弱人群样本调查的4,531名≥60岁的老年人。社会福祉通过社交网络和社会参与度来衡量，分别使用Lubben社交网络量表和社会参与度指数。功能性听力障碍通过自我感知听力困难的双变量衡量标准来定义。心理韧性通过包含25个条目的Connor-Davidson韧性量表进行评估。采用结构方程模型来确定HL与SWB之间的关联以及心理韧性的中介作用。结果：功能性听力损失与低收入家庭中老年人群的社会福祉降低相关。与听力正常者相比，听力受损个体更易出现社会隔离和社交参与度低。这种关联在性别亚组和非低收入家庭中持续存在，但在≥70岁的老年人中则不成立。心理韧性部分中介了听力障碍与社会福祉之间的关联，解释了SWB变化中50.9%的方差。结论：功能性听力障碍可能是社会限制和老年人群健康风险的可调节因素。推广听力健康护理和应对资源（包括心理支持）的获取，可能改善老年人的社会福祉，并促进健康老龄化。补充材料S1：低收入家庭中老年人功能性听力损失、心理韧性与社会隔离、社交参与度和社会活动参与度的回归结果。高杰，胡卉，何慧（2023）。低收入家庭中中国老年人群功能性听力损失、心理韧性与社会福祉。言语、语言和听力研究杂志，66(6)，2141–2154。https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00209