부산대학교 도서관

Purpose: This study aimed to confirm the joint association of hard of hearing and handgrip strength with falls among Koreans aged 65 years and above. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the 2020 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data and included 4,372 participants who completed a falls-related questionnaire. Grip strength was measured, and hearing status was self-reported. Multivariate logistic regression assessed associations between hearing status, handgrip strength, and falls. Analyses were adjusted for variables such as age, sex, body mass index, education level, and medical history. Results: The study found a significant association between being hard of hearing and increased odds of falls (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-4.78). Additionally, individuals with low handgrip strength had higher odds of falls (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.88-3.31) than those with normal handgrip strength. Among individuals who were hard of hearing, the group with normal handgrip strength showed 28% lower odds of falls (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.18-2.87), although this result did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: These findings highlight the high fall odds associated with being hard of hearing and suggest that handgrip strength may have a potential protective effect in individuals aged 65 years and older. Our study contributes to an increased understanding of risk factors for falls in older adults and emphasizes the need to address sensory impairment and muscle strength in prevention efforts. Future studies must validate and extend these findings to improve quality of life and reduce fall-related injuries in older adults.