Study investigates link between Indigenous hearing loss and mental health

New federal funding announced today will enable researchers to undertake the first study of its kind to investigate how untreated hearing loss could increase the risk of mental-health issues and dementia in Indigenous people.

The research project, led by The University of Western Australia’s Professor Dawn Bessarab, was awarded $2.1 million under the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund Indigenous Health Research Grant scheme.

Hearing loss is the second highest cause of disability globally, affecting 1.33 billion people and 90 per cent of cases are age-related hearing loss.

The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2018-19 report found that 34 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over reported hearing problems and 82 per cent were found to have hearing loss after they were tested.

The collaborative research team will be led Professor Bessarab, Director of UWA’s Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, jointly supported by Professor Leon Flicker, from UWA Medical School, and Dr Dona Jayakody, from UWA Medical School and Ear Science Institute Australia.

“Studies suggest older Indigenous people have higher levels of hearing loss compared with non-Indigenous Australians,” Professor Bessarab said.

The study will be the first to investigate the effects untreated hearing has on the quality of life and wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“The research will look at the impact hearing health has on wellbeing, mental health, quality of life and cognitive functions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and identify key strategies to help maintain hearing health and access hearing services,” Professor Bessarab said.

“Ensuring our Elders have good hearing is important to our community because they are our cultural leaders, teachers and knowledge keepers.

“Maintaining health and wellbeing to fulfil cultural obligations, roles and responsibilities is essential for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live and age well.”

The study will be done in partnership with the Indigenous community, UWA’s WA Centre for Health and Ageing and Ear Science Institute Australia.