Apple study finds hearing loss linked to slower walking speeds
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 9
Apple study finds hearing loss linked to slower walking speeds
9 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 9
Using data from 57,183 consenting iPhone users, Apple and the University of Michigan found the association across all adult ages, strongest among people aged 60 or older.
Researchers said hearing loss may tax the brain, impair balance and reduce environmental cues, while walking speed is viewed by clinicians as an important overall health indicator.
The study was enabled by Apple’s 2024 hearing test and hearing-aid features, adding to evidence linking hearing loss to dementia, falls and other health risks.
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Apple Hearing Study Links Hearing Loss to Reduced Mobility in 160,000-Person Analysis
Overview
The Apple Hearing Study, involving over 160,000 participants, has revealed that hearing loss affects much more than just the ability to hear. The latest findings show a strong link between hearing loss and problems with concentration and walking. People with hearing impairment lose important environmental sounds, which normally help them move safely and confidently. As a result, they tend to walk more cautiously. The study also found that how people feel about their hearing does not always match test results, highlighting the need for better ways to check hearing health and understand its impact on daily life.