Hearing Loss and Annual Earnings Over a 20-Year Period: The HUNT Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The association between hearing loss and income has only been examined in cross-sectional studies. We aim to study annual increase in earnings over 20 years, comparing people with and without hearing loss. DESIGN: We used data from a population-based hearing study in Norway (The Trøndelag Health Study, 1996-1998), including 14,825 persons (46.2% men, mean age at baseline 30.6 years, age range 20 to 40 years). Hearing loss was defined as the pure-tone average threshold of 0.5 to 4 kHz in the better hearing ear ≥20 dB HL (n = 230). Annual earnings were assessed from 1997 to 2017. Longitudinal analyses were performed with linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, and education. RESULTS: People without hearing loss at baseline (before age 40) had a greater annual increase in earnings over a 20-year follow-up period compared with people with hearing loss. For people with normal hearing, annual earnings over 20 years increased by 453 Euro (EUR) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 384 to 522) or 13.2% more per year than for people with hearing loss, adjusted for age and sex. The difference in annual earnings over 20 year was greater among women (462 EUR, 95% CI = 376 to 547) than men (424 EUR, 95% CI = 315 to 533), greater among younger than older adults, and greater among lower than higher educated persons. When including adjustment for education in the model, in addition to age and sex, the difference in annual earnings over 20 years between persons with and without hearing loss was reduced (337 EUR, 95% CI = 269 to 405). CONCLUSIONS: The results from this large population-based study indicates that people with hearing loss experience lower long-term earnings growth compared with people with normal hearing. The findings highlight the need for increased interventions in the workplace for people with hearing loss.

Weaker association between hearing loss and non-employment in recent generations: the HUNT cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) among employed persons, the association between HL and non-employment, assessing whether this has changed over the last two decades. To identify susceptible groups for HL-related work problems and examine the association between HL and co-worker relations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of working-age participants (20-66 years). HL was defined as the pure-tone average threshold of 0.5-4 kHz in the better hearing ear: 20-34 dB (mild) or ≥35 dB (disabling). Associations were assessed with logistic regression. STUDY SAMPLE: Data from two waves of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT): HUNT2 1996-1998 (N = 38,603), HUNT4 2017-2019 (N = 19,614). RESULTS: The nationally weighted prevalence of HL among employees was 5.8%. HL was associated with non-employment, more strongly in HUNT2 (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-2.4) than HUNT4 (OR 1.9, CI 1.7-2.1). HL was not associated with poorer co-worker relations. The association between HL and non-optimal work performance was stronger among white-collar workers than blue-collar workers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that HL is common in the employed population. It also indicates a weakened association between HL and non-employment in recent generations. White-collar workers appear to be more vulnerable to HL-related work problems than blue-collar workers.

This paper evaluates employment and work performance among hearing impaired. We show a prevalence of hearing loss (HL) among employed persons of 5.8% and that HL is associated with higher odds of non-employment. Our study indicates that the association between HL and non-employment has weakened in recent generations.

Hearing loss, sick leave, and disability pension: findings from the HUNT follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the association between hearing loss and sick leave or disability pension is to a great extent based on few cross-sectional studies and remains unclear. We aim to assess the associations in a long-term follow-up population study. METHODS: We used baseline data from a large population-based hearing study in Norway, the HUNT Hearing study (1996-1998). The sample included 21 754 adults (48.5% men, mean age at baseline 36.6 years). We used register data on sick leave and disability pension (1996-2011). Cox regression was used to assess the association between hearing loss at baseline (Pure tone average/PTA 0.5-4 kHz > 20 dB) and time to first physician-certified sick leave episode, as well as time to first disability pension payment. RESULTS: Hearing loss at baseline (yes/no) was weakly associated with time to first physician-certified sick leave episode: Hazard ratio (HR) 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.3). Restricting the exposed group to people with both hearing loss and tinnitus, the HR was slightly increased: 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6). Hearing loss in 1996-1998 was also associated with time to first received disability pension: HR 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.8). Stronger associations were found for disabling hearing loss (PTA > 35). Restricting the exposure to hearing loss and tinnitus, the HR was increased: 2.0 (95% CI 1.4-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: This large population-based cohort study indicates that hearing loss is associated with increased risk of receiving disability pension, especially among younger adults and low educated workers. Hearing loss was weakly associated with sick leave.