Improving physical activity in older adults with hearing loss
Developing a new digital program to help older adults with hearing loss improve their social and physical wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation estimates that over 5% of the world’s population (466 million people) currently live with a disabling hearing loss. This figure will rise to over 900 million people by 2050 due to the global aging population.
Older adults living with hearing loss are more likely to be socially isolated and physically inactive (or sedentary), which increases their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia, also known as noncommunicable diseases.
Research in focus
Promoting physical activity in older adults with hearing loss in a digital era
Online (or digital) programs that promote social and physical activity in healthy older adults living in the community can reduce non-communicable disease risk. However, there are no programs that address the specific and complex needs of older adults with hearing loss.
We are completing several projects to assess how hearing loss, noncommunicable disease, and physical activity are all related. Our research has shown that greater hearing and memory difficulties in older adults is associated with lower participation in sport and exercise. As a result, in collaboration with older adults with hearing loss, we are currently developing a new digital program to help them improve their social and physical wellbeing.
Research outputs
- The association between non-communicable disease and hearing aid adoption in older adults with hearing loss
- Argumentum ad ignorantiam: Smartphone-connected listening devices
- The feasibility of an m-health educational programme (m2Hear) to improve outcomes in first-time hearing aid users
- Evaluating a theoretically informed and cocreated mobile health educational intervention for first-time hearing aid users: qualitative interview study
- The development of an mHealth educational intervention for first-time hearing aid users: combining theoretical and ecologically valid approaches
Meet the experts
David’s research focuses on evidence-based digital interventions to increase social and physical activity, and reduce noncommunicable disease risk, in adults with disabilities.
Eef's research focuses on the early diagnosis and risk/protective factors for dementia. This includes lifestyle interventions such as exercise.