JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Hearing loss and depression are important health issues among the middle-aged and older population.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the associations between hearing loss and depressive symptom trajectories in the Chinese middle-aged and older population.

Methods:

The survey data of 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves collected in the China Health And Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was used for analysis. The Latent Growth Mixture Modeling (LGMM) approach was employed to examine the trajectories of depressive symptoms. Hearing loss was identified through self-reporting, and depressive symptoms were assessed using a 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10). The associations between hearing loss and depressive symptom trajectories were explored using logistic regression models.

Results:

A total of 4,768 participants without depressive symptoms at baseline were included for analysis. Among them, four depressive symptom trajectories, including ‘stable low symptoms’ (74.5%), ‘slow-progressing symptoms’ (10.55%), ‘relieved symptoms after progression’ (9.79%), and ‘rapid-progressing symptoms’ (2.98%) were identified. Hearing loss was found significantly associated with the trajectory of ‘rapid-progressing symptoms’.

Conclusions:

The trajectories of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older people have four types with distinct patterns. Hearing loss is associated with the progression of depressive symptoms, and its impact is more significant for males, affecting not only symptom severity but also progression speed. These findings indicate that the mental health status of middle-aged and older people with hearing loss should be paid special attention to, and timely interventions should be provided if possible.