The role of hearing loss as risk factor for social isolation

The role of hearing loss in increasing social isolation is well explored. This results from several factors including increased communication effort, misunderstandings, and embarrassment for individuals with hearing loss.

The role of hearing loss in increasing social isolation is well explored. This results from several factors including increased communication effort, misunderstandings, and embarrassment for individuals with hearing loss. Various studies have shown that hearing loss is associated with: 

• a smaller social network¹²

• feelings of loneliness³

• restricted interpersonal communication behavior⁴

• reduced perceived quality of relationships with others⁵⁶⁷

Reasons for social withdrawal include 

• communication difficulties, especially in noisy environment or when communicating in group⁸

• stigma / embarrassment about their condition or fear of being judged by others⁹ ¹⁰

• miscommunication / misunderstandings¹¹

• fatigue resulting from the additional listening effort¹²

References:  

(1) Kramer SE, Kapteyn TS, Kuik DJ, Deeg DJH. The association of hearing impairment and chronic diseases with psychosocial health status in older age. J Aging Health. 2002;14(1):122-137. 

(2) Mick P, Kawachi I, Lin FR. The association between hearing loss and social isolation in older adults. Otolaryngol – Head Neck Surg (United States). 2014;150(3):378-384. 

(3) Shukla, A., Harper, M., Pedersen, E., Goman, A., Suen, J. J., Price, C., Applebaum, J., Hoyer, M., Lin, F. R., & Reed, N. S. (2020). Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 162(5), 622–633. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820910377 

(4) Meis M, Krueger M, Gablenz PV, et al. Development and Application of an Annotation Procedure to Assess the Impact of Hearing Aid Amplification on Interpersonal Communication Behavior. Trends Hear. 2018;22: 2331216518816201. 

(5) Vas V, Akeroyd MA, Hall DA. A Data-Driven Synthesis of Research Evidence for Domains of Hearing Loss, as Reported by Adults With Hearing Loss and Their Communication Partners. Trends Hear. 2017;21: :2331216517734088. 

(6) Barker AB, Leighton P, Ferguson MA. Coping together with hearing loss: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the psychosocial experiences of people with hearing loss and their communication partners. Int J Audiol. 2017;56(5):297-305. 

(7) Hétu R, Jones L, Getty L. The Impact of Acquired Hearing Impairment on Intimate Relationships: Implications for Rehabilitation. Audiology. 1993;32(6):363-381. 

(8) Thibodeau L. M. (2020). Benefits in Speech Recognition in Noise with Remote Wireless Microphones in Group Settings. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(6), 404–411. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.19060 

(9) Southall K, Gagné JP, Jennings MB. Stigma: A negative and a positive influence on help-seeking for adults with acquired hearing loss. Int J Audiol. 2010;49(11):804-814. 

(10) Gagné JP, Jennings MB, Southall K. Understanding the Stigma Associated with Hearing Loss in Older Adults. Hearing Care for Adults. 2009:203-212. Available at: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7f35/f5d1a0ce78750cac20dcb5b90b3673ed9f66.pdf 

(11) Henn, Patrick MB, BCh, BAO; Tuathaigh, Colm O. PhD; Smith, Simon BSc, MSc. (2017). Hearing Loss and Misunderstandings. The Hearing Journal 70(9):p 6, September 2017. DOI: 10.1097/01.HJ.0000525528.48808.3f 

(12) Holman JA, Drummond A, Hughes SE, Naylor G. Hearing impairment and daily-life fatigue: a qualitative study. Int J Audiol. 2019;58(7):408-416.