Hearing Loss Associated with Higher Comorbidity in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

A prospective cohort study involving 1,053 individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) found that the presence of hearing loss (HL) was associated with a higher prevalence of various comorbidities, including visual impairment, trisomy 21, and hypertension. The research, published in BMC Public Health, addresses a gap in the combined analysis of health profiles of individuals with both ID and HL, reporting that comorbidities were more frequent among those with HL.

The study employed a comprehensive methodology, combining medical history assessments with on-site hearing testing for all participants. Diseases were meticulously coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). The cohort included participants ranging in age from 1 to 90 years, with a demographic split of 37% female and 63% male. The analytical approach utilized descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between common diseases and factors such as age, sex, the presence of HL, and the severity of ID.

The results demonstrated that nearly all comorbidities observed in participants with HL (those with a prevalence greater than 5%, totaling 14 conditions) were found to be more frequent in the HL group compared to those without HL (13 out of 14 conditions). These prevalent comorbidities included visual impairment, hypertension, trisomy 21, obesity, mental, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental disorders, spinal conditions, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Specific logistic regression analyses highlighted several significant associations: HL was linked to an increased risk of visual impairment, trisomy 21, spinal conditions, and hypothyroidism. Furthermore, age was strongly associated with higher rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, while female sex was specifically associated with increased risks for trisomy 21 and hypothyroidism.

One particularly striking finding concerned trisomy 21, which was observed to be 3 to 4 times more frequent in the subcohort of individuals with hearing loss. This condition showed a female preponderance and was linked to elevated rates of cardiovascular, metabolic, and visual diseases. Beyond specific conditions, the data revealed that individuals with HL exhibited higher levels of multimorbidity—defined as having two or more diseases—and greater medication intake. Specifically, the mean number of associated comorbidities was 2.75 in the HL group versus 1.65 in the non-HL group. Multimorbidity was significantly higher in the HL group, affecting 63% of participants compared to 42% of those without hearing loss, and the mean medication intake was substantially higher at 2.73 versus 0.84.

While epilepsy occurred similarly across both groups (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.65–1.56), the study noted that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was less frequent in the HL subcohort (OR 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24–0.73). These findings collectively paint a picture of heightened health vulnerability in individuals with both intellectual disabilities and hearing loss. The increased burden of disease, multimorbidity, and pharmacological intervention in the HL group suggests that the intersection of these two conditions requires a more proactive and integrated approach to healthcare.

The conclusion drawn from this prospective cohort study is that individuals who have both intellectual disabilities and hearing loss face a substantially elevated risk profile regarding chronic health issues. The researchers emphasize that heightened awareness regarding the potential for these complex comorbidities and the implementation of individualized, multidisciplinary management strategies are essential steps. The researchers state that heightened awareness and individualised, multidisciplinary management are essential to ensure equitable care and prevent secondary complications in this population.

Subject of Research: The increased prevalence of comorbidities and multimorbidity in individuals with intellectual disabilities who also have hearing loss.

Article Title: Comorbidities in individuals with intellectual disabilities with and without hearing loss: a prospective cohort study

Article References: Naghipour, A., Gietmann, C., Jankovic, V., Scharpenberg, M., Zielonkowski, S. M., Prein, L., Schwarze, K., Neumann, A., Wasmuth, S., Schäfer, K., Speckemeier, C., Schlierenkamp, S., Werner, S., Parfitt, R., Wiegand, A., Schwalen, A.-S., Brannath, W., Mathmann, P., & Neumann, K. (2026). Comorbidities in individuals with intellectual disabilities with and without hearing loss: a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29321-w

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29321-w

Keywords: Intellectual Disability, Hearing Loss, Comorbidity, Prospective Cohort Study, Public Health, Trisomy 21, Multimorbidity, Healthcare Equity, Comorbidities, individuals, intellectual, disabilities