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Hearing-Loss Treatment May Help Preserve Social Connection in Older People

Older adults with hearing loss who receive treatment may retain greater social connections over time than those who do not receive treatment, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Nicholas S. Reed, Au.D., Ph.D., of New York University, and colleagues examined data from 977 adults (mean age of 76.3) with untreated hearing loss and no substantial cognitive impairment. Participants were randomized to two groups: One group received a hearing intervention consisting of four sessions with a certified study audiologist, hearing aids, counseling, and education, with booster visits every six months. The control group received health education consisting of four sessions with a certified educator on chronic disease and disability prevention, including goal-setting, activities, stretching, and counseling. The researchers measured the participants’ social connections and loneliness at baseline, six months, and one, two, and three years.

At baseline, the mean social network size was 22.6 in the intervention group and 22.3 in the control group. After three years, the mean social network size declined to 21.3 in the intervention group and 19.8 in the control group. Adults in the intervention group also retained more social network diversity (number of relationship roles such as parent, child, or neighbor) after three years.

The intervention group’s mean loneliness scores (assessed via the UCLA Loneliness Scale) improved from 32.8 at baseline to 32.3 at three years, whereas the control group’s scores worsened from 32.7 at baseline to 33.5 at three years.

“Given the high prevalence of hearing loss among older adults and already established delivery models, hearing intervention represents a public health target for population-level reductions in social isolation and loneliness,” the researchers wrote, noting that hearing interventions are scalable and low-risk efforts. “Additional efforts to incorporate coverage for hearing care and audiological support services … into Medicare benefits may further help improve access and affordability of hearing care for older adults.”

For related information, see the Psychiatric News article “Special Report: Lifting the Veil on Loneliness and Alienation.”

(Image: Getty Images/iStock/Jacob Wackerhausen)

Source: https://alert.psychnews.org