Frontiers in Aging · Nov 3, 2026
Age-related hearing loss, social isolation, and loneliness in older adults: Mechanisms and environmental influences
By Nathan Gagné, Giulia Panaioli, Sarah Emmanuelle Tsafack et al.
Age-related hearing loss, social isolation, and loneliness are highly prevalent among older adults, con-tributing to adverse cognitive, psychological, and physical health outcomes. Growing evidence suggests that these constructs are closely related, yet heterogeneity in how they are defined, measured, and interpreted has limited progress in understanding their association. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the conceptualization, measurement, and bidirectional associations between age-related hearing loss, social isolation, and loneliness. We propose underlying mechanisms linking these constructs, with particular emphasis on the role of noisy environments as an under-explored determinant of hearing and social func-tioning. A central contribution of this review is an environmental and multilevel perspective that positions acoustic environments not simply as background conditions, but as potentially modifiable determinants of hearing-related communication and social participation in later life. We present a multilevel intervention framework spanning community, clinical, environmental, and educational approaches to support hearing, social connectedness, and healthy aging. We also identify limitations in the current literature and highlight priorities for future research. A more integrated understanding of hearing, social connectedness, and environmental context may guide interdisciplinary interventions and promote healthier, more socially connected aging.