COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Older adults who maintain higher levels of physical function may also be more likely to retain better hearing, according to a new study from researchers at the University of South Carolina and collaborating institutions....
No immediate practice change is warranted; findings support counselling older patients on the general health benefits of physical activity, but causal direction between fitness and hearing preservation is not yet established.
If physical activity is confirmed as a modifiable protective factor for age-related hearing loss, it could open a low-cost, scalable preventive strategy for audiologists to advocate alongside hearing conservation counselling.
- 01University of South Carolina study published in Scientific Reports linked higher physical function to better hearing in older adults.
- 02Study is observational — it shows association, not proof that exercise directly prevents hearing loss.
- 03Findings align with existing literature suggesting cardiovascular health influences cochlear (inner-ear) blood flow.
- 04Physical activity is already recommended for general ageing health, making this a low-risk counselling addition.
- 05Replication in larger, controlled prospective studies is needed before clinical recommendations can be updated.
Older adults with higher levels of physical function are more likely to retain better hearing as they age.
studypartially supported- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Older adults assessed for physical function and hearing ability
- Intervention
- Higher levels of physical function / physical activity
- Comparator
- Lower levels of physical function
Primary outcomes
Hearing ability / hearing retention with age