05/14/2026
If you find yourself walking more slowly than you used to, it might be time to get your hearing checked.
A study of more than 57,000 iPhone users confirms a correlation between hearing loss and slower walking speeds. Previous studies have shown that hearing loss is associated with dementia, depression, loneliness and an increased risk of falling.
Why does walking speed even matter? It’s considered an important indicator of overall health. A hale and hearty speed signifies that your body’s systems—including your heart, lungs, muscles and nervous system—are working well together.
“We call it the sixth vital sign,” says Dr. Frank Lin, a clinician on Apple’s health team who helped analyze the findings from the hearing study, which was conducted with the University of Michigan.
It all points to one thing, say doctors: If you address your hearing issues, you could live a longer, healthier life.
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