A major study has found that hearing devices boost social engagement and may reduce the risk of early death
A new study has found that people with hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants are more socially active and may live longer than those who don’t treat their condition.
The research, led by Dr Janet Choi of the University of Southern California, reviewed data from over 5,000 people across 65 separate studies. It found consistent improvements in three areas – quality of social life, communication difficulties and loneliness – for adults using hearing devices.
Stronger social connections
Those who wore hearing aids or had cochlear implants reported more confidence in group conversations, fewer frustrations with communication and a greater sense of connection with family, friends and colleagues. Cochlear implants, which are usually used in cases of severe hearing loss, delivered the biggest benefits.
The findings matter because social isolation and loneliness are linked to poor mental and physical health, including higher risks of depression, dementia and early death.
“Hearing loss is more than just an inconvenience; it can really affect your confidence, mood, and everyday life”, says Eva Optiz, Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “The right hearing device can make a huge difference, but regular hearing checks are just as imporant. Think of it this way - you get your eyes tested and go to the dentist regularly, so why should something as important as your sense of hearing be any different?”
Links to cognitive health
Although the study didn’t directly measure cognitive outcomes, Choi and her team suggested that better communication may help keep the brain active and reduce dementia risk. Her earlier research, published in January 2024, found that regular hearing aid use was linked to reduced mortality risks among US adults with hearing loss, compared to those who never used them - even after considering age, degree of hearing loss, and other influencing factors.
An estimated 12 million British adults live with some kind of deafness, many of them untreated. Untreated hearing loss is associated with social withdrawal and reduced brain stimulation, both of which have been linked to cognitive decline.
The findings add to an ever-growing body of evidence that treating hearing loss provides significant support to our overall health - and not just to our hearing health.
References
- Hearing devices significantly improve social lives – Summary of the USC findings
- Hearing aids may help people live longer – Summary of Choi’s earlier study on hearing and mortality
- Wearing hearing aids may reduce the risk of early death – Health.com report on surprising factors that increase ageing
- Could treating hearing loss help delay dementia? – Health.com summary of the scientific evidence linking brain health and hearing loss
