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Patients who are 65 years and above in age, with hearing difficulties , have lower involvement in their health care routine, according to a study published in the 'Journal of the American Geriatrics Society'. "Poor hearing puts patients at risk for poor outcomes. For example, people with hearing loss may be unable to understand their doctor when she explains medication changes," said senior author Dr Jan Blustein. The study done on 13,490 adults of 65 years and above in age analysed 'patient activation', or the knowledge, skills and the confidence that enables them to actively follow their health care routine. The results of 'no trouble' hearing were compared with those reporting 'some trouble' hearing. The latter had 42 per cent higher risk of low 'patient activation'. While some people who complained of a 'lot of trouble' hearing, had a 70 per cent higher risk. Read Complete Article

Business Standard : A recent study has found a link between age-related hearing loss and depression. The findings suggest the greater the hearing loss in elderly individuals, the greater the risk of having depressive symptoms. Thus, the treatment of age-related hearing loss could be one way to head off late-life depression. The study was published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. "Most people over age 70 have at least mild hearing loss, yet relatively few are diagnosed, much less treated, for this condition," said lead author Justin S. Golub. "Hearing loss is easy to diagnose and treat, and treatment may be even more important if it can help ease or prevent depression." Age-related hearing loss is the third-most common chronic condition in older adults . The condition is known to raise the risk of other conditions, such as cognitive impairment and dementia. But there are few large studies asking whether hearing loss may lead to dep...