Study Links Hearing Loss and Loneliness to Cognitive Decline in Seniors

Impact of Hearing Loss on Cognitive Health

New Delhi, July 16: A recent study reveals that the combination of hearing loss and feelings of loneliness can significantly speed up cognitive decline, potentially leading to dementia in older adults.

Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland have highlighted that challenges such as isolation, difficulties in communication, and hearing impairment pose significant hurdles in daily life.

The research, published in the journal Communications Psychology, indicates that cognitive decline is particularly pronounced in individuals experiencing loneliness, irrespective of their social isolation status.

Matthias Kliegel, a professor at UNIGE's Cognitive Ageing Laboratory, stated, 'Our findings show that individuals who may not be socially isolated but feel lonely experience an acceleration in cognitive decline when they have hearing loss.'

The research team analyzed data from 33,000 older adults across 12 European countries to assess how hearing loss and loneliness together affect memory.

They identified three distinct groups based on social isolation and perceived loneliness: those who are both socially isolated and feel lonely, those who are not isolated but still feel lonely, and those who are isolated yet do not feel lonely.

The study underscores the necessity of addressing both hearing loss and the emotional and social aspects of individuals to mitigate cognitive decline.

This is especially vital for those who are socially connected but still experience loneliness; simple interventions like hearing aids could significantly enhance their social engagement, according to the researchers.

Charikleia Lampraki, a postdoctoral researcher at UNIGE, noted, 'These individuals are already part of the social fabric; thus, eliminating sensory barriers can enhance their engagement and safeguard their cognitive health.'

The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people will face hearing loss or impairment.

Over 25% of individuals aged 60 and above suffer from a disabling hearing impairment, which can increase the risk of cognitive decline by two to three times, emphasizing the urgent need for early and preventive hearing care.