Associations among hearing loss, hospitalization, readmission and mortality in older adults: A systematic review

Older adults with hearing loss face many challenges impacting health outcomes. The objective of this review was to evaluate current evidence for associations among hearing loss, hospitalizations, readmissions and mortality in older adults living with hearing loss.

A systematic search, of PubMed, CINAHL and Embase was performed in October 2018. Studies that were included consisted of populations aged 50 and older, publications after 2004, clearly defined hearing loss measurements, and non-aggregated, appropriate outcome variables. We excluded deafness, specified hearing losses, and cochlear implant users.

Fifteen mortality studies, four hospitalization studies, and one readmission study were identified. After adjustments, three mortality, three hospitalization, and the one readmission study found significant associations.

Hearing loss was associated with an increased risk of hospitalizations, readmission and mortality. However, there is insufficient evidence to support that hearing loss is independently associated to increased risk of these outcomes.