Hearing Loss and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults: Mediating Effect of Social Activity and Cognitive Function

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between hearing loss and subjective well-being (SWB) and to investigate the mediating roles of social activity and cognitive function in the link between hearing loss and SWB. METHODS: An analysis of 11,949 older Chinese adults was conducted from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Hearing loss had a significant negative association with SWB (B = -0.787; 95% CI: -0.961, -0.613). Hearing loss influenced older adults' SWB in the following three ways: first, via the partial mediating effect of social activity (B = -0.021, 95% CI: -0.036, -0.009); second, via the partial mediating effect of cognitive function (B = -0.275, 95% CI: -0.347, -0.252); and third, via the serial mediating effects of social activity and cognitive function (-0.016, 95% CI: -0.021, -0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Social activity and cognitive function play a serial intermediary role in the relationship between hearing loss and SWB among older Chinese adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Multidimensional health and social interventions aimed at improving mental health and social inclusion among adults with hearing loss should be recommended.