Objective To identify correlation between hearing loss,social isolation and cognitive function in older adults,and the mediating effect of social isolation between hearing loss and cognitive function.Methods A cross-sec-tional study was conducted using convenience sampling to include 453 older adults in 10 prefecture-level cities in Shanxi.The subjects were surveyed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening,the Lubben Social Network Scale and the Mini-mental State Examination.Results The hearing loss score was 6(0,20),social isolation score was 15(11,19),and cognitive function score was 27(22,29).The hearing loss score was negatively correlated with the social isolation score(r=-0.413,P＜0.01)and cognitive function scores(r=-0.342,P＜0.01).Hearing loss dem-onstrated a direct influence on cognitive function and an indirect impact(accounting for 31.0％of the total effect)via so-cial isolation.Conclusion Hearing loss is an important risk factor for declining cognitive function in older adults,and social isolation contributes to the explanation of cognitive dysfunction.Nursing staff should improve their hearing health care knowledge,and encourage them to actively participate in social activities,which should reduce the incidence of cognitive dysfunction and to ultimately promote healthy aging.
维普
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