A new study shows that certain factors, such as weight, smoking behavior and hormone exposure, are associated with age-related hearing loss and vary by sex. While more research is needed, most older adults could benefit from a diagnostic hearing evaluation every three years beginning at age 50.

According to a recent study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, certain factors associated with developing age-related hearing loss differ by sex, including weight, smoking behavior, and hormone exposure.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), slowly-advancing difficulty in hearing high-frequency sounds, makes communication more challenging, often leading to loneliness and depression. Roughly 1 in 5 people around the world suffer from hearing loss, and this number is expected to rise as the global population ages.

Since ARHL is irreversible, identifying it early and taking preventative measures are especially important. To better understand the factors associated with ARHL, and how the relative influence of these factors is shaped by gender, they analyzed check-up health examination data from 2,349 participants over age 60.

After gathering each participant’s medical history and performing blood tests, a body composition test, and a basic hearing test, they ran statistical analyses to identify factors most strongly associated with ARHL risk for males and females.

The researchers found that while some factors, such as age, were associated with ARHL regardless of gender, others were differently associated with ARHL risk in males and females. For example:

• Being underweight showed a significant association with ARHL in males, but both low weight and obesity showed significant associations in females.
• Smoking was associated with increased ARHL risk in males only, who were far more likely than females to identify as smokers in this sample population.
• Females who started menstruating at an earlier age were less likely to develop ARHL later in life, pointing toward a possible protective effect of the hormone estrogen.

Further research is needed to confirm these results, but this helps shed some light on possible factors contributing to ARHL. In the meantime, even though there are no official evidence-based guidelines on how often to get your hearing checked in adulthood, most medical providers—including audiologists—recommend a diagnostic hearing evaluation every three years beginning at age 50. Other organizations recommend a baseline hearing evaluation at milestone ages, such as 60 or 65.

By identifying and treating hearing loss early, you can reduce the risks related to ARHL, including cognitive decline and dementia as you age. Identifying hearing loss early on also improves your ability to hear important conversations; reduces the risk of depression; reduces the risks for cognitive decline; lowers the risks of falling; and improves relationships with family and friends, along with many other positive benefits.

The most important thing is to have a diagnostic hearing evaluation performed by a professional, especially as you age. If you are diagnosed with hearing loss, a doctoral-level audiologist can offer a wide range of prescription hearing aid solutions that fit your budget, lifestyle and needs.

If your results are normal, you can take comfort in knowing you have taken the first step in establishing a baseline for your hearing. Your audiologist will likely suggest you have your hearing checked for changes every few years.

Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with a doctoral-level audiologist.