Abstract
Hearing loss is a prevalent sensory impairment associated with significant social, economic, and health burdens. Despite its importance, data on the predictors of hearing loss in the Polish population remain limited. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss and its sociodemographic and cardiovascular health-related determinants within the Polish arm of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study.In this cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Polish PURE cohort, 2,030 participants aged 29-85 years were included. Data collection comprised structured interviews, clinical assessments, and self-report questionnaires. Self-reported hearing loss was defined using a single questionnaire item from the PURE core instrument. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates. Sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular conditions (e.g. hypertension, blood pressure), and lifestyle factors were examined.Hearing loss was reported by 12.1% of the participants, with a higher prevalence among urban residents and individuals aged ≥ 52 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that urban residence (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.56-2.90), age ≥ 52 years (aOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.00; 4.27), motor impairments (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.28-2.30), and systolic blood pressure ≥ 148 mm Hg (aOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08;2.83) were independently associated with self-reported hearing loss.This study highlights the critical role of sociodemographic and cardiovascular health-related factors in hearing loss, with urbanization, aging, and hypertension emerging as key contributors. These findings support integrating cardiovascular and hearing-related assessments in population health strategies in Poland, while longitudinal PURE waves will be necessary to confirm temporality and causality.