Physical activity interventions for those with hearing loss
Psychology lecturer Dr David Maidment is exploring how physical activity interventions can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults with hearing loss.
Through this research, Dr Maidment is aiming to reduce the risk faced by this group of developing a noncommunicable disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or dementia.
Hearing loss and noncommunicable disease
It is not known exactly why older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop noncommunicable diseases compared to older adults without hearing loss.
However, it is believed likely to be the result of a combination of different factors that all interact, heightening people’s overall risk. For example, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to become socially isolated and withdrawn due to their persistent communication difficulties
We could speculate that these problems result in reduced physical activity leading to poorer cardiovascular health and cognitive decline. Subsequently, we are exploring how all of these factors interact in people with and without hearing loss to better clarify how they are associated.
Research with impact
Improving physical activity in older adults with hearing loss could not only improve individual’s general health and wellbeing but could also benefit wider society.
The results of our research will be used to inform the development of new and the refinement of existing physical activity interventions so that they meet the specific needs and desires of older adults with hearing loss, enabling them to live longer, healthier lives.
Improving physical activity in this population could also help to reduce the economic costs associated with hearing loss, estimated to be up to £575 billion globally, as well as the costs of associated noncommunicable diseases, estimated globally at £22 trillion within the next two decades.
Developing psychologists of the future
The research taking place is also used to inform the ‘Cognitive Research’ module that forms part of the first year of all undergraduate Psychology degrees at Loughborough.
I am able to incorporate my research in my teaching for this module, while students also have the opportunity to conduct their own research projects, applying contemporary models of health behaviour change to understand how physical activity can be improved in people living with chronic illness.
These opportunities can help students to better prepare for and develop the skills needed to pursue careers in several psychology-related fields including health, clinical, counselling, and rehabilitation psychology.
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