Associations Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Audiometric Hearing: Findings From the Canadian Longitudinal...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Audiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are prevalent in adult populations.
• Hearing loss is a growing public health concern, particularly among older adults.
• The relationship between CVD risk factors and hearing loss requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine associations between individual and combined cardiovascular disease risk factors and hearing loss in Canadian adults.
• To investigate potential modifications of these associations by sex and age group.
• To analyze both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships over approximately three years.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data (2012-2018).
• Hearing assessed via pure-tone audiometry; CVD risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, smoking) defined using established criteria.
• Multivariable regression models incorporating survey weights, with analyses disaggregated by sex and age group; complete case and multiple imputation approaches used.

Main Results:

• Longitudinally, hypertension and a general cardiovascular risk score were associated with greater hearing loss in both sexes.
• Smoking in males and obesity in females were linked to accelerated hearing decline.
• Cross-sectionally, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and composite risk measures were independently associated with poorer hearing in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and smoking are significantly associated with hearing loss.
• Increased combinations of cardiovascular risk factors amplify the risk of hearing loss.
• Further research is warranted to confirm age and sex differences and explore interventions to mitigate hearing loss progression.