Sensory impairment, including hearing impairment, vision impairment, and dual sensory impairment, is highly prevalent in older adults and associated with increased risk of mortality 1 Sensory impairment and all-cause mortality among the elderly adults in China—a population-based cohort study.

Aging. 2020; 12: 24288-24300

,2 Zhang Y. Ge M. Zhao W. et al. Sensory impairment and all-cause mortality among the oldest-old: Findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

J Nutr Health Aging. 2020; 24: 132-137

and burden of disease, 3 Huddle M.G. Deal J.A. Swenor B. et al. Association between dual sensory impairment, hospitalization, and burden of disease.

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016; 64: 1735-1737

which has attracted widespread concern recently. However, the relationship between sensory impairment and health care utilization among older adults is not well defined. Moreover, sensory impairment leads to activity limitations and participation restrictions, 4 Xiang X. Freedman V.A. Shah K. et al. Self-reported vision impairment and subjective well-being in older adults: A longitudinal mediation analysis.

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020; 75: 589-595

and commonly coexists with functional impairment, as they share common risk factors. 5 Mehta N.K. Patel S.A. Ali M.K. et al. Preventing disability: The influence of modifiable risk factors on state and national disability prevalence.

Health Aff (Millwood). 2017; 36: 626-635

,6 Fransen E. Lemkens N. Van Laer L. et al. Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI): Environmental risk factors and genetic prospects.

Exp Gerontol. 2003; 38: 353-359

Functional impairment is a potent driver of health care utilization. 7 Chen N. Li X. Wang J. et al. Rural-urban differences in the association between disability and body mass index among the oldest-old in China.

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019; 81: 98-104

Although older adults with functional impairment may perform activities less frequently, whether the co-occurrence of sensory impairment is a potential driver of excessive health care utilization remains unclear.