Association of Hearing Loss and Loneliness in Older Adults

Overview

Journal J Aging Health

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2015 Nov 25

PMID 26597841

Citations 52

Authors

Yoon-Kyu Sung

Lingsheng Li

Caitlin Blake

Josh Betz

Frank R Lin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine factors associated with loneliness in older adults presenting for hearing loss treatment.

Method: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 145 participants (aged 50-94) who presented for hearing aids or cochlear implants and were enrolled in the Studying Multiple Outcomes After Aural Rehabilitative Treatment (SMART) study from 2011 to 2013. Social, communicative, physical, and mental health functioning were assessed using self-administered questionnaires, and loneliness using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale.

Results: Younger age and greater hearing loss were significantly associated with greater loneliness. Metrics of depressive symptoms and hearing-related quality of life, communication difficulties, and emotional well-being, mental health, and 36-Item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (SF-36) scores were moderately or highly correlated with loneliness.

Discussion: Younger age and greater hearing loss are independently associated with higher levels of loneliness in older adults presenting to clinic for hearing loss treatment. Further studies needed to determine whether hearing treatment can reduce loneliness in older adults.

Citing Articles

Cochlear implantation and cognitive function in the older adult population: current state of the art and future perspectives.

Vandenbroeke T, Andries E, Lammers M, Hofkens-Van den Brandt A, Mertens G, Van Rompaey V Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2025; 91(3):101544.

PMID: 39879878 PMC: 11803144. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2024.101544.

A Hearing Intervention and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis of the ACHIEVE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Huang A, Morales E, Arnold M, Burgard S, Couper D, Deal J JAMA Netw Open. 2024; 7(11):e2446591.

PMID: 39570588 PMC: 11582982. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.46591.

Cognitive Changes Up to 4 Years After Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Using the RBANS-H.

Vandenbroeke T, Andries E, Lammers M, Van de Heyning P, Hofkens-Van den Brandt A, Vanderveken O Ear Hear. 2024; 46(2):361-370.

PMID: 39228026 PMC: 11825490. DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001583.

The Association of Vision and Hearing Impairment on Cognitive Function and Loneliness: Evidence From the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

Hreha K, Samper-Ternent R, Whitson H, Downer L, West J, Downer B J Aging Health. 2024; :8982643241247583.

PMID: 38621720 PMC: 11473705. DOI: 10.1177/08982643241247583.

A Longitudinal Framework to Describe the Relation Between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Social Isolation.

Motala A, Johnsrude I, Herrmann B Trends Hear. 2024; 28:23312165241236041.

PMID: 38545654 PMC: 10976512. DOI: 10.1177/23312165241236041.