of the natural effect models[]{data-label="tab:ma"}

   Model  Effect                            Hazard ratio       95%CI        Mediated proportion
  ------- -------------------------------- -------------- ---------------- ---------------------
          **Dementia**                                                     
          Total effect ($A=1$ vs. $A=0$)       1.843       (1.100; 2.711)  
          Direct effect                        1.821       (1.095; 2.721)  
          Indirect effect                      1.012       (0.986; 1.053)          2.0%
          **Death**                                                        
          Total effect ($A=1$ vs. $A=0$)       0.882       (0.625; 1.148)  
          Direct effect                        0.882       (0.617; 1.154)  
          Indirect effect                      1.001       (0.987; 1.011)          -0.8%
          **Dementia**                                                     
          Total effect ($A=1$ vs. $A=0$)       1.839       (1.100; 2.713)  
          Direct effect                        1.836       (1.091; 2.716)  
          Indirect effect                      1.002       (0.988; 1.017)          0.3%
          Total effect ($A=0$ vs. $A=1$)       0.544       (0.369; 0.912)  
          Direct effect                        0.554       (0.367; 0.912)  
          Indirect effect                      0.981       (0.925; 1.022)          3.2%
          **Death**                                                        
          Total effect ($A=1$ vs. $A=0$)       0.882       (0.622; 1.148)  
          Direct effect                        0.878       (0.614; 1.151)  
          Indirect effect                      1.005       (0.989; 1.023)          -4.0%
          Total effect ($A=0$ vs. $A=1$)       1.134       (0.871; 1.605)  
          Direct effect                        1.129       (0.862; 1.617)  
          Indirect effect                      1.004       (0.981; 1.036)          3.2%

  : Data analysis: the effect of limited vs. normal hearing ability on the time-to-event outcomes, mediated through the feeling of loneliness. The mediated proportion is calculated on log scale[]{data-label="tab:ma"}

As can be seen from table 5, the total effect of hearing loss on the time to dementia diagnosis was statistically significant (Model 1, HR = 1.843; 95%CI 1.100 to 2.710). Model (1) further suggested that 