Hearing aids significantly improve social connections, reduce loneliness, and could help maintain cognitive health, according to a new study published Thursday in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Researchers from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine analyzed 65 previous studies involving nearly 6,000 adults with hearing loss. The comprehensive analysis revealed that adults who used hearing aids or cochlear implants were far more socially engaged and felt less isolated than those who didn’t use the devices.
“We found that adults with hearing loss who used hearing aids or cochlear implants were more socially engaged and felt less isolated compared to those who didn’t use them,” said Dr. Janet Choi, senior researcher and otolaryngologist at USC. “This suggests that hearing devices may help prevent the social disconnection and broader health consequences that can follow untreated hearing loss.”
Nearly 30 million American adults could benefit from hearing aids, yet only about 16% of those who need them currently use them, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Common reasons for avoiding hearing aids include stigma, concerns over appearance, cost, and perceived inconvenience.
However, the new study strongly suggests these fears are unfounded. Hearing device users reported feeling significantly more comfortable in group conversations and noisy environments, resulting in stronger social relationships and lower levels of anxiety and frustration.
The analysis focused on three key areas: quality of social life, perceived social handicaps due to hearing loss, and loneliness. In each area, the use of hearing aids or implants produced notable improvements.
Researchers also highlighted the broader health implications of their findings. Improved social connections have been consistently linked to reduced risks of cognitive decline, dementia, and even premature death.
A previous January 2024 study led by Dr. Choi, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, found that hearing aid users had a nearly 25% lower risk of early death compared to those with untreated hearing loss.
“While our study didn’t directly measure cognitive outcomes, the improvements we saw in communication and social engagement suggest that by restoring clearer communication, hearing devices may help preserve cognitive health by keeping the brain more actively involved and people more connected,” Choi explained.
Participants who used cochlear implants—devices surgically implanted to restore hearing in cases of severe hearing loss—experienced the greatest improvements in social quality of life. The researchers attribute this to the implants’ ability to significantly restore hearing function in profoundly impaired individuals.
The findings come as medical experts increasingly emphasize the link between hearing health and overall well-being. Hearing loss affects an estimated 40 million American adults, and untreated hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and neurological changes in the brain.
“These new findings add to a growing body of research showing that hearing health is deeply connected to overall well-being,” Choi concluded. “We hope this encourages more people to seek treatment and helps clinicians start conversations with patients about how hearing devices can improve their quality of life.”