It’s a cure for loneliness.
Difficulty hearing may contribute to loneliness among older adults by hindering their ability to maintain social relationships. A recent study suggests that hearing aids could be a powerful tool in addressing this issue, helping seniors preserve vital social connections and potentially reducing feelings of isolation. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on May 12, found that seniors who received hearing aids were able to maintain more personal relationships over time compared to those who did not receive such assistance.
Researchers followed nearly 1,000 older adults with hearing loss across four U.S. states—Maryland, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Half of the participants, aged 70 to 84, were given hearing aids along with professional support from audiologists. This included counseling sessions and, when necessary, additional tools like television adaptors to enhance sound clarity. The other half were only offered general advice on healthy aging, with no hearing-specific interventions.
Over a three-year period, those fitted with hearing aids were able to retain more people in their social circles—on average, one additional contact—compared to the control group. While initial loneliness levels were similar across both groups, those who received hearing aids experienced slight improvements in social engagement, while loneliness increased slightly among those who didn’t receive any hearing assistance.
The study’s findings emphasize the broader health implications of untreated hearing loss, which has been linked to a higher risk of depression, heart issues, cognitive decline, and even premature death. With more than two-thirds of seniors over 70 experiencing some level of hearing impairment, the researchers argue that improved access to hearing care could have a major impact on seniors’ mental and physical well-being.
Given that the average cost of hearing aids and related care is around $4,700—usually not covered by Medicare—the researchers believe that integrating hearing aid coverage into public healthcare plans could help combat what U.S. officials have called a growing epidemic of loneliness. The team plans to monitor participants for another three years and expand their research to include a more diverse population.
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