Untreated Hearing Loss Linked to Loneliness and Isolation for Seniors

A 2009 study published in Ear and Hearing found hearing loss of one decibel in people younger than 70 increases the odds of becoming severely lonely by 7 percent, recalls National Public Radio . Intensifying loneliness from hearing loss can trigger a flood of detrimental health effects, raising the risks of depression, dementia, and early death. However, most people who suffer from hearing loss do not know or do not want to know the extent of the problem, and these changes occur gradually and often earlier than anticipated. Moreover, few use hearing devices even when they are aware of hearing loss, likely due to costs, stigma, and potential technical challenges. A more recent 2018 study in JAMA Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery found untreated hearing loss raises the risk of dementia by 50 percent, depression by 40 percent, and falls by 30 percent over 10 years. Johns Hopkins University researchers have launched a randomized controlled trial to determine whether hearing treatment could prevent or slow cognitive decline, with its effect on loneliness a key area of focus.