Hearing loss, dual sensory loss tied to higher mortality

(HealthDay)—Hearing loss (HL) and dual sensory loss (DSL) are associated with excess all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, according to a review published online Dec. 30 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Benjamin Kye Jyn Tan, from the National University of Singapore, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies evaluating associations between HL or DSL and mortality.

Based on 14 retrospective and 13 prospective observational studies (1.2 million participants), the researchers found that HL was associated with excess all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.13; 21 studies) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.28; six studies), while DSL was associated with larger excess risks (hazard ratios for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, 1.40 [10 studies] and 1.86 [two studies], respectively) when adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Studies with longer follow-up duration showed weakening of the pooled association. Among audiometric studies, meta-regression showed a dose-response association (doubling of hazard ratio per 30-dB increase in HL). There was a similar effect size observed among self-reported and audiometric HL. Associations between HL and DSL with accident/injury, cancer, and stroke mortality were inconclusive, with few studies evaluating them.

"Physicians caring for patients with HL should consider its relevance to general health and longevity," the authors write.