Young adult patients with hearing loss were less likely to have paid employment and reported lower income compared with peers without hearing difficulties, according to a national analysis. The negative effects were most pronounced among Black and Hispanic patients.
Researchers analyzed data from Waves IV (2008; n = 15,701) and V (2016 to 2018; n = 11,955) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which included adults aged 24 to 43 years. Hearing status was self-reported as tinnitus only, hearing loss only, both conditions, or no difficulties. Between 6% and 9% reported tinnitus only, about 1% reported hearing loss only, and about 1% reported both.
Employment status and income levels were modeled using logistic and ordinal regression. Models controlled for age, sex, race or ethnicity, region, education, insurance, access to care, self-rated health, and parental income. Findings showed that hearing loss was associated with lower odds of employment (OR, 0.88) and reduced income (OR, 0.95). Tinnitus alone did not consistently affect outcomes, but outcomes worsened when combined with hearing loss. Black individuals with hearing loss were significantly less likely to have paid employment (OR, 0.02) and had lower income (OR, 0.35) compared with White counterparts. Hispanic individuals with hearing loss also faced diminished employment odds (OR, 0.01).
The authors noted that all measures were self-reported, limiting clinical verification. Treatment use, such as hearing aids, was not captured, and reported prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus was slightly lower than population estimates.
“Future work is needed to determine the long-term impact for all individuals with hearing loss and to develop policy strategies to ensure equitable workforce participation and subsequently income,” said Molly Jacobs from the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, and colleagues.
The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
