Hearing health is crucial for healthy aging. Research has shown that hearing aid use may help decrease the risk of dementia, prevent cognitive decline, and reduce overall mortality. 

A new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery expands on this understanding. Researchers found that hearing aids and cochlear implants may improve social quality of life and reduce feelings of isolation for adults with hearing loss, key aspects of healthy aging.

This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at data from 65 studies involving nearly 6,000 adults, with 35 of those studies included in a detailed statistical analysis. The researchers examined how hearing rehabilitation devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other sound amplification tools affected outcomes such as social engagement, quality of life, and loneliness.

Key Findings:

• Overall, using hearing devices was linked to better social outcomes, especially improved social quality of life.
  Hearing aids were associated with moderate improvements in social well-being.

• Cochlear implants, often used for more severe hearing loss, showed even greater benefits, with significant boosts in social quality of life scores.

• Users also reported a decrease in perceived social handicap. In other words, they felt less limited by their hearing loss in social situations.
  While improvements in loneliness were observed, the evidence was not strong enough to draw firm conclusions in that area due to limited studies.

This research supports what many audiologists and hearing health advocates have long suspected: hearing devices do more than restore sound. They help restore connection. That’s why it’s crucial to care for your hearing health across life stages, from reducing loud noise exposure, to improving hearing wellness with things like cold therapy, to using hearing aids. For adults with hearing loss, especially those struggling with social withdrawal, hearing aids or cochlear implants may be a valuable step toward a more engaged, fulfilling life.

For more research news, subscribe to the RestorEar newsletter, and read about the study here.