BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

• Dillard et al. (JAMA Network Open, 2025) examined the 25-year cumulative incidence and progression of hearing loss and related risk factors

METHODS:

• Population-based cohort study
  • Framingham Offspring Study
• Population
  • Individuals in Framingham, MA with data from hearing examinations
• Exposures
  • Age | Sex | Education | Noise exposure history | Smoking and heavy drinking
  • Measured hypertension | Stroke risk (Framingham Stroke Risk Profile [FSRP]) | Low-density lipoprotein | High-density lipoprotein | Total cholesterol | Fasting blood glucose | Systolic and diastolic blood pressure | Waist circumference
• Study design
  • Hearing defined by worse-ear pure-tone average (PTA) of thresholds at frequencies
    • 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 kHz
  • Logistic and linear regression models were used to determine exposures associated with outcomes
    • Adjustment for sex and age
• Primary outcome
  • Hearing loss
    • Defined as PTA more than 25 dB HL
  • Hearing loss progression
    • Annualized increase in PTA

RESULTS:

• 511 participants
  • Mean age: 52.2 (SD, 7.2 | Range, 34.7 to 74.4)
  • Male: 41.5%
• 25-year cumulative incidence of hearing loss: 56.2%
• Mean hearing loss progression: 51.1 (SD, 11.6) dB
• Factors associated with incident hearing loss
  • Older age
  • Lower education
  • High noise exposure
  • Among participants aged >50 years
    • Hypertension | Higher FSRP
• Factors associated with hearing loss progression
  • Older age
  • Female sex
  • Lower education
  • Among participants aged >50 years
    • Hypertension | Higher diastolic BP

CONCLUSION:

• The 25-year cumulative incidence of hearing loss among aging adults was 56%
• Cardiovascular factors, such as elevated stroke risk (FSRP), hypertension, and higher diastolic blood pressure, were linked to the onset or progression of hearing loss in participants >50 years at baseline
• The authors state

Results from this study corroborate hearing loss as a common public health concern that may be at least partially preventable and provide important information regarding the incidence and natural history of hearing loss

Learn More – Primary Sources:

The 25-Year Incidence and Progression of Hearing Loss in the Framingham Offspring Study