Overview

• A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that seniors using hearing aids and receiving audiology counseling retained an average of one additional social connection over three years.
• The trial, involving nearly 1,000 participants across four U.S. states, found that those treated for hearing loss had more diverse and deeper relationships compared to those only receiving healthy aging education.
• Participants with hearing aids reported slight improvements in loneliness scores, while those without treatment experienced worsening feelings of isolation.
• Researchers emphasize hearing interventions as a low-risk, cost-effective strategy to combat the public health risks of loneliness, which is linked to dementia, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
• The findings bolster calls to include hearing aid coverage under Medicare, and follow-up studies are planned to extend the research and involve more diverse populations.