Socioeconomic Inequality and Hearing Health in China: Examining the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Inequality and the Development of Hearing Impai

Hearing loss is a significant global challenge estimated to affect about half a billion individuals worldwide, including one-third of individuals over 65-years.

International research indicates that hearing loss can have multiple negative effects on older adults beyond their hearing health. Some studies recognize hearing loss as the fourth most common disability globally.

Such socioeconomic inequality can also affect the older persons' hearing loss diagnosis, screening and service use However, there is a lack of empirical research on the relationship between individual socioeconomic inequality and the development of hearing impairment among older persons in China.

Thus, this study aims to address this gap by investigating the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and the development of hearing impairment among Chinese older individuals (more than 60 yrs) and the impact of hearing impairment on their cognition and social participation through the empirical analysis of the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

By understanding the impact of socioeconomic inequality on hearing health, it may be possible to reduce the prevalence and negative outcomes of hearing loss in China.

This study will also conduct qualitative interviews with older persons to enrich the quantitative analysis at the national level with the 'experience' and 'voices' of older people across different socioeconomic groups on the impact of hearing loss to better understand the real-life impact and expected support.