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. 2025 Mar 8;44(1):70.
doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00791-9.

The impact of hearing ability on depression among retired middle-aged and elderly individuals in China: the chain mediating role of self-rated health and life satisfaction

Juju Huang  1   2 , Tengfei Liang  1 , Cong Guo  1 , Chunlin Zhang  1 , Hui Xie  3
Affiliations

The impact of hearing ability on depression among retired middle-aged and elderly individuals in China: the chain mediating role of self-rated health and life satisfaction

Juju Huang et al. J Health Popul Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: The present study explored the relationship between hearing ability, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and depression among retired middle-aged and older adults in China.

Methods: The research was based on data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). By applying linear regression models, we delved into the key factors influencing depression in middle-aged and elderly individuals. We utilized Spearman's rank correlation analysis techniques to reveal the interconnections among hearing ability, depression, self-rated health status, and life satisfaction. Additionally, we employed SPSS software tools to examine the potential mediating effects of self-rated health status and life satisfaction between hearing ability and depression.

Result: There was a significant positive correlation between hearing ability and self-rated health status as well as life satisfaction ( r > 0, P < 0.01), while a significant negative correlation with depression was observed ( r < 0, P < 0.01). Self-rated health status also showed a positive correlation with life satisfaction ( r > 0, P < 0.01) and a negative correlation with depression ( r < 0, P < 0.01). Furthermore, life satisfaction exhibited a negative correlation with depression ( r < 0, P < 0.01). Further analysis revealed that self-rated health status and life satisfaction play a significant chain mediating role between hearing ability and depression.

Conclusion: In summary, our investigation underscores the pivotal mediating influence of self-rated health and life satisfaction in the nexus between hearing ability and depressive symptoms in retired middle-aged and older adults. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between hearing and depression, providing valuable insights for alleviating depression in middle-aged and older adults.

Keywords: Depression; Hearing; Retirement.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All interviewees were required to sign informed consent, and ethics approval for the data collection in CHARLS was obtained from the Biomedical Ethics Review Committee of Peking University (IRB00001052-11015). All procedures of the study were performed in accordance with approved guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: All authors agreed to publish the submitted version of the paper, as did the participants. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hypothesized relationships between hearing ability, self-rated health, life satisfaction and depression
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The chain mediating effect of hearing ability and depression
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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