Study Finds Older Adults With Vision and Hearing Impairments Have Lower Life Expectancy

A Singaporean study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found older adults who lacked visual or hearing impairments enjoyed longer lives free from limits on daily activities and a greater life expectancy, reports Optometry Today . The life expectancy of a 60-year-old with impaired vision and hearing was on average 4.2 years shorter than one without either handicap. Within this demographic, someone with both senses impaired also could expect to spend three more years of their life physically limited, compared to someone without either impairment. "Timely and appropriate management of vision and hearing impairment, especially when coexisting, among older adults has the potential to reduce the years of life they live with limitation in physical function and in activities of daily living," the researchers concluded.