Association of Increased Risk of Injury in Adults With Hearing Loss: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Database records did not include detailed medical information on the cause or severity of hearing loss, objective audiological test results, or vestibular function. The study could not assess post-diagnosis management, including hearing aid use or hearing rehabilitation, or treatment outcomes. Residual confounding from genetic, physical, psychological, behavioural, and socioenvironmental variables could not be controlled. Patients with vertigo-related or other conditions that could affect fall or injury risk were excluded, so findings may not apply to those patients. Some background variables differed between groups, including insurance premium, location, urbanization level, and level of care. The study is observational and describes an association, not a tested effect of treatment.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management, and the Tri-Service General Hospital Research Foundation. The National Health Insurance Research Database was provided by the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Do not read this as proof that hearing loss causes injuries or that hearing aids prevent them. The study found an association, could not measure hearing-loss severity or vestibular function, and could not evaluate hearing aid use or treatment outcomes.