How Hearing Devices Improve Social Well-being? Study Finds Out - Video

A new study has found that hearing aids and cochlear implants can significantly enhance the social well-being of adults with hearing loss. Findings are published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

Hearing loss affects an estimated 40 million American adults, but many go untreated. According to lead researcher Janet Choi, MD, MPH, an otolaryngologist with Keck Medicine, untreated hearing loss can make communication challenging, often causing individuals to withdraw from social interactions.

To better understand this link, Choi and her team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 previously published studies, analyzing data from more than 5,000 participants. They focused on three key areas: social quality of life, perceived social handicap, and loneliness. The findings revealed that hearing device users felt more connected, were better able to navigate group conversations, and experienced fewer barriers and frustrations in social settings.

Participants using cochlear implants, which provide greater hearing restoration than hearing aids, reported the most dramatic improvements. The study also suggested that hearing devices may reduce loneliness, although more research is needed in this area.

While the study did not measure cognitive effects directly, Choi emphasized the broader implications: “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.”

These findings build on previous research by Choi showing that hearing aid use is associated with a nearly 25% lower risk of mortality. “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,” she said.

Reference: Kaitlin Hori, Rishabh Shah, Akhil Paladugu, Tyler J. Gallagher, Sophie S. Jang, Elizabeth V. Weinfurter, Choo Phei Wee, Janet S. Choi. Social Outcomes Among Adults With Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2025; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.1777