JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Owing to the aging of the global population, the prevalence of traumatic injuries and hearing disabilities among older adults is increasing. However, longitudinal evidence on the effect of hearing disability on injury is scarce.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the association of hearing disabilities and risk of injury.

Methods:

This study included individuals aged ≥60 years with hearing disabilities and a control group of individuals without disabilities, who were identified using data from the National Health Insurance Services Senior Cohort from 2008 to 2019. The primary outcome was injury admission based on codes S00–S99 of the International Classification of Disease. The control and case groups were matched using a 1:3 ratio via propensity score matching. Cox regression that were adjusted for all covariates were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), and sensitivity analyses were conducted with regard to disability severity and injury site.

Results:

The total number of participants was 43,944, with 10,986 participants (25.0%) in the hearing-disabled group and 32,958 (75.0%) in the non-disabled group, thus confirming a 1:3 matching ratio. Cox regression analysis indicated that the injury admission risk was higher in the hearing-disabled group than in the non-disabled group (HR 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.28).

Conclusions:

Hearing disability in older adults is independently associated with increased injury admission risk, with greater severity conferring a higher risk and variation by injury site. Interventions such as hearing aid provisions, targeted traffic safety measures, and enhanced community and family support are warranted to mitigate this burden.