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Physical function impacts hearing without mediation from systolic blood pressure
Jean Neils-Strunjas1, Meisam Arjmandi2,3, Morteza Hajihosseini4
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, 1705 College Street, Room 215, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA. neilsstj@mailbox.sc.edu.
Scientific Reports
|May 30, 2026
Summary
Maintaining physical function (PF) is linked to better hearing in aging adults. An active lifestyle may preserve auditory and cognitive health more effectively than solely managing blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Audiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline may share common physiological causes.
- Intervention targeting these shared factors could potentially modify outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interrelationships between physical function (PF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), hearing, and cognition in adults aged 50-80.
- To explore potential mediation effects of SBP on the relationship between PF and sensory/cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Bayesian generalized structural equation modeling was employed.
- 150 adults aged 50-80 years old participated in the study.
Main Results:
- Improved physical function (PF) was associated with a decreased hearing threshold, independent of systolic blood pressure (SBP).
- Increasing age correlated with higher SBP and poorer hearing thresholds.
- Sex differences were noted, with males having worse hearing outcomes.
- PF had a minimal, non-SBP-mediated effect on cognition.
Conclusions:
- An active lifestyle is associated with better hearing in older adults.
- Directly improving physical function may be crucial for preserving auditory and cognitive health, beyond blood pressure management.
- The pathways linking cardiovascular health, sensory function, and cognitive aging are complex.
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