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Published on: June 20, 2025
Association between hearing loss, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: a nationally representative
Camilo Morales1, Pablo Martinez-Amezcua2,3, Francisco Félix Caballero4,5
1Department of Therapeutical Protocols, Faculty of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile.
Summary
Hearing loss in older adults is linked to increased sedentary time, not reduced physical activity. This highlights the need to combine hearing health with strategies for reducing sedentary behavior.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Hearing loss is prevalent in midlife and older adults.
- Its impact on physical activity and sedentary time is not consistently established in population studies.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between self-reported hearing loss and physical activity and sedentary behavior in Chilean adults aged 40 years and older.
- To examine domain-specific physical activity (work, transport, leisure) and overall physical activity levels.
- To assess high sedentary behavior patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a nationally representative sample (n=3512) from the 2016-2017 Chile National Health Survey.
- Hearing loss defined by self-report; physical activity and sedentary behavior assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.
- Survey-weighted regression models used, with sensitivity analyses including inverse probability-of-exposure weighting.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hearing loss was 27.9% in the study population.
- Hearing loss was not significantly associated with overall physical activity levels or domain-specific energy expenditure (work, transport, leisure).
- A significant association was found between hearing loss and high sedentary behavior (≥8 hours/day).
Conclusions:
- Self-reported hearing loss in Chilean adults (≥40 years) is associated with increased sedentary time.
- No association was observed between hearing loss and overall or domain-specific physical activity.
- Findings suggest integrating hearing care into public health strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behavior.
