Hearing Loss Could Dampen a Senior’s Social Life

A study of seniors between the ages of 80 and 98 reports that impaired hearing could cause potentially serious social problems. New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that this change in personality is amplified among people with impaired hearing. The findings, the researchers say, emphasize the importance of acknowledging and treating hearing loss in the elderly population.

Here’s how the study played out: Researchers observed 400 individuals 80-98 years old over a six-year period. Every two years, the subjects were assessed in terms of physical and mental measures, as well as personality aspects such as extraversion, which reflects the inclination to be outgoing, and emotional stability.

The results show that even if the emotional stability remained constant over the period, the participants became less outgoing. Interestingly, the researchers were not able to connect the observed changes to physical and cognitive impairments or to age-related difficulties in finding social activities. The only factor that could be linked to reduced extraversion was hearing loss.