Prevalence of self-reported hearing loss and its association with depression in individuals aged 15 years and above in a large-scale representative sample: evidence from a nationwide population-based cross-sectional study.

purposeThis study aimed to determine the nationwide prevalence of self-reported hearing loss and depressive symptoms among adults and to evaluate the association between hearing loss severity and depression.

methodsThis cross-sectional analysis was based on data from 22,725 participants aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the 2022 Türkiye Health Survey. Sampling weights were applied to ensure that the sample was representative of the national population, which corresponds to an estimated 59,281,923 individuals. Hearing loss and depressive symptoms were assessed through self-report and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adapting comprehensively for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, and chronic comorbidities.

resultsThe mean age of participants was 42.4 years (95% CI: 42.2-42.7; SE: 0.131), with a median of 41 years and a range of 15 to 102 years. The prevalence of any self-reported hearing loss was 9.21% (95% CI: 9.19-9.29), including mild-to-moderate (7.57%, 95% CI: 7.57-7.61) and severe (1.55%, 95% CI: 1.52-1.58). Moderate depressive symptoms were reported by 2.76% (95% CI: 2.71-2.79), and severe depressive symptoms by 1.74% (95% CI: 1.73-1.74). Depression prevalence similarly increased with age and was significantly higher among women (p < 0.001). Among participants without any hearing loss, 19.5% reported at least mild depression. Of note, individuals experiencing any form of hearing loss, 43.5% reported at least mild depressive symptoms. Multivariable analyses indicated a clear dose-dependent association between depressive symptom severity and hearing loss. Compared with normal hearing, mild-to-moderate hearing loss significantly increased odds of moderate (aOR = 2.245, 95% CI: 1.703-2.959, p < 0.001) and severe depressive symptoms (aOR = 3.124, 95% CI: 2.230-4.376, p < 0.001). Severe or CHL further increased the odds of moderate (aOR = 4.158, 95% CI: 2.424-7.132, p < 0.001) and severe depressive symptoms (aOR = 7.174, 95% CI: 4.115-12.506, p < 0.001).

conclusionThis nationally representative study demonstrates a significant self-reported burden of hearing loss and depression among individuals in Türkiye, highlighting strong, graded associations between hearing loss severity and depressive symptoms. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating audiological and mental health services to identify at-risk populations early and provide timely interventions. Future longitudinal studies should need to first use diagnostic tests to confirm self-reported data, and explore the potential causal relationships and benefits of hearing rehabilitation in reducing depressive symptoms.