According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide, and one-half of people over age 70 will have hearing loss. In their report, they declare: “Unless hearing loss is appropriately addressed, it can have a profound impact on those affected and poses a significant challenge to their everyday lives.” Diminished hearing affects much more than our ability to perceive sound — it also affects our social life, vocational and educational opportunities, and mental and physical health. However, hearing aids are an effective treatment of hearing loss with many benefits for users. Read on to learn how hearing aids can help overcome the limitations and frustrations of hearing loss.
The benefits of hearing aids
An overwhelming body of research evidence has made it clear that hearing aids are an important part of avoiding the costs, physical and mental hardships, and loss of everyday function that come with any level of hearing loss. Research has found that early detection of hearing loss and prompt use of hearing aids have a significant impact on health and functionality, while other studies have shown that hearing aid use is associated with improved health, social functioning, and quality of life, even among people with mild hearing loss. A study of over 650 American hearing aid users concluded that people experienced “meaningful life changes following hearing aid use.”
Let’s look at some of the specific benefits of hearing aid use.
Improved social function
The most obvious cost of hearing loss is its effect on one’s ability to communicate with others. Not being able to understand others or participate in conversations may cause them to feel cut off, dismissed, disregarded, and as if they don’t fit in. Commonly, social withdrawal is their way of avoiding such awkward, embarrassing, and upsetting situations.
The improvement in hearing offered by hearing aids can help restore a sense of social connection. Being able to more clearly understand others and filter out background noise in social situations can help those with hearing loss reconnect with their social circles. Research supports this benefit and has established the connection between hearing aid use and improved social function. In a large 2024 clinical study, participants reported improved and enhanced social relationships with hearing aid use, greater ease in establishing new relationships, and increased active engagement in conversation.
Increased happiness and better mental health
The burden of hearing loss goes well beyond the obvious communication impairments. Hearing loss has been linked to an increased likelihood of depression, loneliness, and social isolation, is associated with a sense of disconnection, grief, and frustration, and leaves people grappling with self-worth and dignity.
Early recognition of hearing loss and prompt use of hearing aids can prevent and reverse these significant life difficulties that impact quality of life. As mentioned above, hearing aids help people with hearing loss hear the people around them more clearly, allowing them to understand and communicate better. Improved communication will help them feel more connected to those around them and less isolated, significantly enhancing happiness and mental health. Their sense of self-worth may also improve with their increased ability to participate in their social lives, careers, and other aspects of life.
Improved day-to-day function
People who do not hear well describe frustration at what might seem like little things, like not hearing the doorbell or being unable to talk on the phone. Other common frustrations include no longer being able to listen to music or attend entertainment events. Even listening to the radio or watching television may no longer be enjoyable.
A review of all published research from 1987 to 2017 found that hearing aid use is associated with significant improvements in participation in daily life compared with no hearing aid use. Hearing aid users regain their ability to tend to their daily lives and enjoy certain hobbies and pastimes. The study authors concluded that there is good evidence to recommend “widespread provision of hearing aids as the first‐line clinical management in those who seek help for hearing difficulties.”
Enhanced physical health and safety
Further research has shown that hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person’s physical health. It is associated with an increased risk of dementia and falls and has been tied to a number of other chronic health problems.
There is extensive evidence linking hearing aid use to improved health-related quality of life and overall health. By enhancing individuals’ ability to hear, hearing aids help them stay connected with others, which can help combat cognitive decline. Hearing aid users may experience increased motivation to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle with improved mental health and environmental awareness. They also may experience improved balance, which can prevent falls.
Better performance in education and employment
Individuals with reduced hearing report fewer job and educational opportunities and even lost jobs due to hearing difficulties. Hearing loss has also been linked to fatigue because straining to hear can tax and tire out the brain. This fatigue deters productivity, motivation, and the ability to think and concentrate.
A large clinical study found that improved occupational function was one of the key benefits of hearing aid use. With the increased ability to understand and participate in conversations, individuals may be able to better maintain educational and career pursuits. Mitigating the fatiguing effects of hearing loss can increase a person’s motivation and productivity, which may have the compounding effect of allowing them to perform better in their education and careers.
Hearing aids can benefit you in many ways
Our hearing alerts us to important sounds around us and allows us to understand spoken communication. Losing those abilities through hearing loss is at great cost to our ability to function. When people overcome the barriers to hearing aid use, they may find a significant positive change in many aspects of their everyday lives.
