Subjective visual (but not auditory) function is associated with anomalous perceptual experiences in community-dwelling older adults.

Abstract

Introduction: With an increasingly ageing population, understanding sensory impairments and their consequences in older adults is important.

Methods: The current study sought to examine the contemporaneous relationships between subjective sensory functioning (vision and hearing) and different types of anomalous perceptions (anomalous body-centred self-experiences and anomalous external experiences) in community-dwelling older adults (N = 244, M_age = 71.86 ± 7.65, range = 52-91, 67.6% female) using structural equation modelling.

Results: Poorer self-reported visual functioning was associated both with more anomalous body-centred self-experiences and more anomalous external experiences. However, no associations between self-reported hearing function and anomalous perceptions of any kind were found. Further, those reporting higher levels of loneliness self-reported poorer visual functioning and more anomalous body-centred self-experiences. The potential mediating role of loneliness was also explored. However, the relationship between self-reported visual function and anomalous perceptual experiences was not mediated by loneliness.

Conclusions: The current cross-sectional findings suggest that poorer self-reported visual-but not hearing-function may be a risk factor for the experience of anomalous perceptions in older adults. Future research should examine these associations using objective measures of hearing and vision and longitudinal designs.