Advances in Research on the Association between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Risk of Falls and Fractures.

With the rapid aging of the global population, age-related hearing loss and fall-related fractures have become major public health problems that are seriously affecting the quality of life and health expectations of older adults. Traditionally, fall risk has been attributed to factors such as muscle weakness and vision loss. However, in recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that age-related hearing loss is an independent and significant risk factor for falls and related fractures. The aim of this study is to systematically review the epidemiological evidence supporting the association; explore the multiple underlying mechanisms of action, including cognitive load, sensory integration and psychosocial factors; and evaluate the potential value of interventions, such as hearing rehabilitation, in reducing risk of falls and fractures.