Hearing Loss and Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors in Adults Aged 50 Years or Older Living in Tasmania, Australia

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Abstract
Objective: This study examined the associations between hearing loss (HL) and other modifiable dementia risk factors in adults aged 50 years or older living in Tasmania and explored the effects of corrected versus uncorrected HL on these factors. Methods: A cross‐sectional study design using an online survey categorised participants as No‐HL, HL‐corrected or HL‐uncorrected. Logistic regression estimated the odds of being in higher dementia risk categories. Results: The HL‐corrected group was more likely to be in the low‐risk alcohol group (OR = 0.567, 95% CI: 0.468–0.687), 28% less likely for high cholesterol (OR = 0.722, 95% CI: 0.571–0.913) and 26% less likely for diabetes (OR = 0.743, 95% CI: 0.582–0.948). They also had lower odds than the HL‐uncorrected group for alcohol risk (OR = 0.652, 95% CI: 0.508–0.837). Conclusions: Corrected HL is associated with reduced odds of higher‐risk categories for diabetes, alcohol use and high cholesterol.

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