Twice as Likely to Develop Dementia with Hearing Loss

 Age-related hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia. Research suggests that people with mild symptoms of hearing loss may be twice as likely to develop dementia as those without any hearing loss.
 
Read more: Reducing your risk of dementia: Hearing and Vision
 

Increased Likelihood of Falling with Hearing Loss

Increased falls can be a devastating condition in older individuals. Identifying potentially modifiable risk factors such as hearing loss could provide a substantial benefit to overall health. The odds of falling were 2.39 times greater among older adults with hearing loss than those with any hearing loss.
 
Read more: Hearing loss and falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis
 

Additional Listening Effort Increases Severity and Frequency of Exhaustion

A study into the association between hearing loss and fatigue aimed to provide valuable insights into managing daily functioning and understanding the potential downstream health outcomes for individuals experiencing hearing loss. The findings revealed that individuals with hearing loss were more likely to experience fatigue on most days or nearly every day. As the severity of hearing loss increased, so did the likelihood of feeling fatigued.
 
Read more: Fatigue and Hearing Loss in Adults Over 40 Explored in New Study
 

Hearing Loss Creates a Higher Risk of Social Isolation, loneliness and Withdrawal from Social Life

A large number of high-quality studies have examined hearing loss and its connection to social isolation and/or loneliness. They found that older adults with hearing loss were more likely to be socially isolated and to report loneliness compared to those without hearing loss. One study found that those with a high level of self-perceived hearing difficulty had over twice the odds of loneliness compared to others.
 
Read more: Hearing loss, loneliness and social isolation
 

Increased Rates of Anxiety in Those with Hearing Loss

Compared to individuals without hearing loss, those with mild hearing loss have a 32% greater chance of having anxiety, while those with moderate or greater hearing loss have a 59% chance of having anxiety.
 
Read more: Hearing Loss and Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Cope
 

Untreated Hearing Loss and Its Impact on Loved Ones

Researchers have evaluated the relationship dynamic between people with hearing loss and their loved ones. Their studies demonstrate that hearing loss produces feelings of frustration, embarrassment, and distress.
 
Read more: Hearing Loss & the Impact on Relationships
 

References:

  1. Dementia Australia [18 December 2023], Reducing your risk of dementia: Hearing and Vision, Dementia Australia, accessed 16 July 2024.
  2. Jiam NT, Li C, Agrawal Y. [24 March 2016], Hearing loss and falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis, National Library of Medicine, accessed 16 July 2024.
  3. Hearing Health & Technology Matters [7 July 2023], Fatigue and Hearing Loss in Adults Over 40 Explored in New Study, Hearing Health & Technology Matters, accessed 16 July 2024.
  4. Neurosensory [25 November 2022], Hearing loss, loneliness and social isolation, Neurosensory, accessed 16 July 2024.
  5. National Council on Aging [31 August 2023], Hearing Loss and Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Cope, National Council on Aging, accessed 16 July 2024.
  6. Serpa, E [1 November 2021], Hearing Loss & the Impact on Relationships, Hearing Resources Audiology Center, accessed 16 July 2024.