In a new study, researchers found that prescription opioid use disorder is twice as high among deaf and hard-of-hearing young and middle-aged adults, compared with their peers who don’t experience hearing issues.
People under age 50 with hearing loss misuse prescription opioids at twice the rate of their hearing peers and are also more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs.
This means that health care providers may need to take special care when treating pain and mental health conditions in deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults.
The research was conducted by a team at the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
The team used data on 86,186 adults who took part in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
They found that In adults under 50 with hearing loss were more likely than others in their age group to have a substance use disorder, while those over 50 with hearing loss did not differ from their peers in rates of substance issues.
Adults under 35 with hearing loss were 2½ times more likely to have a prescription opioid use disorder.
Those ages 35 to 49 who had hearing loss were nearly twice as likely as their hearing peers to have disorders related to both prescription opioids and alcohol.
The team says hearing loss is connected with a variety of health problems, including mental and physical health, that may place these individuals at risk for pain disorders.
Also, the marginalizing effects of hearing loss, such as social isolation, may be creating higher rates of substance use disorders too.
The team says it is important to first inquire and ensure effective and accessible communication with patients.
Doctors need to be willing to engage in a dialogue to explore the root of their pain/mental health issues rather than just dispensing a prescription that may lead to dependency or addiction.
The lead author of the study is Michael McKee, M.D., MPH.
The study is published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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