Hearing Loss and Negative Social Experiences in the All of Us Research Program

This study aims to assess the impact of demographic characteristics on negative social experiences for individuals with bilateral hearing loss.

A 1:1 matched case-control study.

Participants with and without bilateral hearing loss in the All of Us Research Program database.

Multivariable logistic ordinal regression, controlling for various demographic and health factors, examined the association between hearing loss and self-reports of isolation, discrimination, stress, and poor health care experiences.

A total of 9050 participants had bilateral hearing loss. Compared to matched controls, those with hearing loss had greater odds of reporting isolation (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.21, P < .001), discrimination (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.19, P < .001), and stress (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25-1.40, P < .001) but not health care experiences. Younger (18-39) and middle-aged adults (40-64) reported higher isolation (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.41-3.24, P < .001 [18-39]; OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.82-2.15, P < .001 [40-64]), discrimination (OR 4.49, 95% CI 3.51-5.73, P < .001 [18-39]; OR 2.71, 95% CI 2.45-3.00, P < .001 [40-64]), and stress (OR 6.67, 95% CI 5.22-8.53, P < .001 [18-39]; OR 2.38, 95% CI 2.14-2.64, P < .001 [40-64]) compared to those older than 65. Females with hearing loss reported more isolation (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.23, P < .01), discrimination (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.38-1.63, P < .001), and stress (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.73-1.99, P < .001). Severe hearing loss was associated with worse outcomes. Hearing aids were not protective against negative social experiences.

Certain demographic factors were associated with negative social experiences in individuals with bilateral hearing loss. Future interventions should account for these differences.