An Analysis of Bi-directional Associations Between Self-Reported Residual Hearing and Loneliness: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

This study examined the longitudinal associations between self-reported residual hearing and loneliness, and whether associations differed by age and sex. Using comprehensive cohort data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA; n = 30,097 at baseline), cross-lagged path models (CLPMs) assessed associations across three timepoints (Baseline, Follow-Up 1 [FU1], and FU2). Among females 45-64 years, we observed statistically significant bi-directional associations (hearing to loneliness β = .018, p = .027; loneliness to hearing β = .015, p = .026). For males 65+ years, associations from self-reported residual hearing to loneliness were statistically significant (β = .02, p = .038). After adjustment for cardiovascular covariates, bi-directional associations remained significant only among females aged 45-64 years. Overall, the findings provide evidence of small sub-group-specific associations between hearing and loneliness and highlight the importance of including demographic and broader health-related factors when examining hearing and psychosocial well-being in the aging population.