# The Influence of Hearing Loss on Care Engagement and Health Outcomes

> **NIH NIH F99** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $50,474

## Abstract

Project Summary
This F99/K00 Transition to Aging Research for Predoctoral Students Award application will facilitate the
research training of the applicant to launch an independent career in aging research focused on examining the
influence of hearing loss on healthcare engagement and health outcomes. The proposed research will
examine how hearing loss influences care engagement, health communication and healthcare use for diverse
populations of older adults.
 In the F99 phase of this award, the applicant will examine the role of hearing loss in self-maintenance
practices for chronic illness, termed self-care of chronic illness. This study proposes to (1) describe self-care
behaviors in older adults with hearing loss and compare self-care behaviors by hearing loss severity, (2)
explore the experience of caring for chronic illness while having hearing loss, and how hearing loss impacts
self-care, and (3) describe differences in the experiences of self-care of chronic illness by self-care behavior
scores and hearing loss severity. This mixed methods study will use a parallel-convergent design to enroll a
single diverse sample of community-dwelling hospitalized older adults with a chronic illness and hearing loss.
 In the K00 phase of this award, the applicant will expand on F99 work to examine (1) how the
intersection of hearing loss and social determinants of health influence healthcare use outcomes and (2) how
hearing loss and its intersection with race influence the dynamics of patient-provider interaction. K00 research
will be conducted using epidemiologic datasets linked with claims data, prospective data collection, and
conversation analysis approaches.
 Research training will occur in resource rich environments with support from a cross-disciplinary
mentorship team with expertise in aging, hearing science, chronic illness, epidemiology, and the required
methodologies. The applicant proposes a training plan that includes coursework, practical training, seminars,
and engagement in ongoing research. Training will focus on methodological skills, ethical research practices,
epidemiology, aging, and career development. This proposal aligns with the priorities of the National Institute
on Aging by addressing the burden of age-related diseases and disabilities to improve health and function in
aging. Having a greater understanding of how hearing loss influences health in diverse populations aging with
chronic illness will inform the development of interventions to improve care delivery and maximize health for
the millions of adults aging with hearing loss and a chronic illness.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10973494
- **Project number:** 1F99AG088566-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Giambattista Wallace
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $50,474
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2025-02-22 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10973494

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10973494, The Influence of Hearing Loss on Care Engagement and Health Outcomes (1F99AG088566-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-28 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10973494. Licensed CC0.

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