MIDLIFE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN LATE LIFE: ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY. (20th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martinez-Amezcua, Pablo; Dooley, Erin; Morales, Emmanuel Garcia; Reed, Nicholas; Lin, Frank; Schrack, Jennifer; Deal, Jennifer; Palta, Priya
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 6(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igac059.1162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with worse hearing, but the role of mid-life physical activity (PA) on hearing loss at older ages is yet to be investigated. Methods: Among 3, 198 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, we investigated the association between self-reported mid-life PA (meets PA recommendations [≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA/week] vs. not) and hearing loss (audiometric battery [pure-tone and speech-in-noise]) at older ages. We estimated differences in hearing between those who met and did not meet PA recommendations at mid-life and at late life adjusting for demographics, medical conditions, and noise exposure. Results: 43.3% participants met PA recommendations at mid-life. These participants, compared to those who did not meet recommendations, had lower better hearing by 1.51 (0.46, 2.55) decibels, and 0.37 (0.01, 0.74) more words identified in the speech-in-noise test. Conclusions: Meeting PA recommendations in mid-life was associated with better hearing at older ages.