Associations between hearing difficulty, labor force status, and health burden in young stroke survivors.

StudyFrontiers in stroke· 2026

Associations between hearing difficulty, labor force status, and health burden in young stroke survivors.

Elizabeth Tobener, Molly Jacobs, Charles Ellis

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Stroke & CerebrovascularStudyQ3IF 1.2

Hearing difficulty tied to about 6-fold higher odds of dressing/bathing difficulty after stroke

Associations between hearing difficulty, labor force status, and health burden in young stroke survivors.

Elizabeth Tobener … Charles Ellis

Frontiers in stroke · 2026 · Q3 in Neurology

Background

Young adults with stroke often experience functional impairments, which may be exacerbated by hearing loss.

Purpose

This study examined associations between employment disruptions and functional, physical, and mental health limitations among young stroke survivors with and without self-reported hearing difficulty.

Methods

This analysis used data from the 2020 to 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) for adults aged 18-49 with self-reported stroke.

Results

hearing trouble means far higher odds of needing help dressing or bathing

OR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Hearing difficulty was also independently associated with a greater number of poor physical health days (IRR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.02-1.89) and poor mental health days (IRR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.30-2.14).

Being out of work or out of the labor force was independently associated with poorer functional, physical, and mental health outcomes.

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Conclusion

These findings underscore the need for integrated post-stroke rehabilitation strategies that address sensory, cognitive, and social dimensions.

Associations between hearing difficulty, labor force status, and health burden in young stroke survivors.

Associations between hearing difficulty, labor force status, and health burden in young stroke survivors.

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