Study Finds Hearing Loss Increases Risk of Heart Failure

Recent research indicates a significant association between hearing loss and an elevated risk of developing heart failure, with psychological distress emerging as a pivotal factor in this correlation. The study, published in the journal Heart, highlights the growing concern surrounding both hearing impairment and heart failure, conditions that increasingly affect individuals as they age.

Heart failure currently impacts approximately 64 million people globally, and the prevalence of hearing loss is similarly rising. While previous studies have noted a connection between impaired hearing and cardiovascular disease, the specific relationship between measured hearing ability and heart failure risk had not been thoroughly explored until now.

The research team analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which included 164,431 participants, of whom 4,369 used hearing aids. Participants were initially free of heart failure. The average age of the cohort was 56, with about 55% being women. Hearing ability was objectively assessed using established tests, and participants without hearing aids were divided into three categories based on their hearing performance: normal, insufficient, and poor.

Comprehensive data on health, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors were collected via questionnaires. Social isolation was evaluated based on living arrangements, frequency of social interactions, and participation in leisure activities. Psychological distress was measured using a four-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), and neuroticism was assessed through a series of personality questions.

Over an average follow-up period of 11.5 years, 4,449 participants developed heart failure. The findings revealed that lower speech reception threshold (SRT) levels were significantly linked to an increased risk of heart failure among participants who did not use hearing aids. Specifically, those with insufficient hearing had a 15% increased risk, while those with poor hearing had a 28% increased risk of developing heart failure compared to those with normal hearing. Furthermore, participants who used hearing aids also faced a 26% heightened risk.

The study indicated that these associations were particularly pronounced among individuals without a prior history of coronary heart disease or stroke. Additionally, lower SRT levels correlated with greater social isolation, psychological distress, and neuroticism, which collectively accounted for a notable portion of the increased heart failure risk among participants without hearing aids.

Although the study's observational nature means it cannot definitively establish causation, the researchers suggest that there are plausible biological explanations for their observations. They propose that the inner ear's sensitivity to vascular health may render hearing impairment an early indicator of cardiovascular issues, including heart failure.

Notably, the data suggested that while hearing aids can improve auditory function, they may not mitigate the underlying vascular concerns contributing to heart failure risk. The study emphasizes that hearing problems can lead to social disengagement and psychological challenges, further exacerbating the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The researchers advocate for the integration of hearing health assessments within broader cardiovascular evaluations and stress the importance of addressing psychological well-being in individuals with hearing impairments as a means to reduce heart failure risk.