Association between accelerometer-assessed sedentary behavior and objectively-measured hearing sensitivity in older US adults

Objective: To examine the association between sedentary behavior and hearing sensitivity among a nationally representative sample of older US adults.

Methods: Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES study was used, with 682 older adults (≥ 55 years) included in the study. Participants wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer to measure sedentary behavior and hearing sensitivity was objectively measured in a sound-isolating room.

Results: After adjustments, and comparisons to those with moderate or greater hearing loss, participants 65 years and older with hearing within normal limits (coefficient=-0.07; 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.01) engaged in less sedentary behavior; participants with mild hearing loss (coefficient=0.02; 95% CI: -0.01-0.07) did not differ in sedentary behavior than those with moderate or greater hearing loss. Sedentary behavior was not associated with hearing among those 55 and older.

Conclusions: Adults 65 and older with hearing in normal limits engage in less sedentary behavior than their counterparts with moderate or greater hearing loss. Evaluation and implementation of strategies to limit sedentary behaviors among older adults with greater hearing impairment, in particular, are needed.