In 2023, a study was published that linked social isolation and loneliness to premature mortality—a horrifying, but very real, conclusion from the team of researchers from Harbin Medical University.
Based on a comprehensive meta-analysis that examined 90 studies and over two million participants, the research reveals that individuals who experienced social isolation had a 32 percent higher risk of premature death from any cause, compared to those who were more social.
While reading this, I immediately thought of the connections between social isolation and hearing loss—when untreated, the two can go hand in hand.
Hearing loss significantly impacts a person’s communication skills; difficulty hearing speech in conversation can lead to avoiding social outings from fear of missing out on what the people around you are saying.
%
Higher risk of premature death from any cause, compared to those who were more social
Social isolation is very common for those with untreated hearing loss.
The study also shares that social isolation and loneliness are considered chronic stressors, which can lead to adverse health outcomes to do with stress hormone release that negatively affects the body.
For those with hearing loss who feel isolated and lonely, you’re not alone. If your hearing loss is impacting your ability to communicate with your loved ones, or maybe you’re avoiding social events from worries about how your hearing will cause struggles, we’re here to help.
How Professional Hearing Care Can Help Social Isolation
I see firsthand how untreated hearing loss can lead to loneliness and social isolation. My team and I are working hard to help our patients rejoin the conversations they were missing out on.
Hearing loss is remarkably easy to treat—with just one comprehensive hearing assessment, you can understand your current range of hearing and what you need to do to improve it, whether it be something as simple as turning the volume down or looking into prescription hearing aid care.
No one is jumping to get their first pair of hearing aids. We get it! Hearing aids have long been associated with looking uncool or old, and for those struggling with social isolation, hearing aids may not be the solution they were hoping for.
But those negative stigmas are changing. More young people are seeing the benefits of hearing care, and we’ve seen dozens of youngsters with hearing protection and hearing aids around our community. Hearing aids aren’t uncool anymore—they’re a vital tool for regaining your independence and hearing the life you love.
If you know someone who is disconnecting from the world around them due to social isolation from hearing loss—or if any of this sounded like what you yourself are going through—we encourage you to come and see us to get your hearing tested. It could make a world of difference.
For questions about what we can do for you, or concerns about your unique situation, please request a callback and a member of our team will get in touch. Don’t want to wait? Call our office at (337) 436-3277.
