Effectiveness of Hearing Aid Adherence on Social Connectivity in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Age-related hearing loss affects 65% of older adults, and untreated hearing loss is associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including social isolation and loneliness. Thus, it is imperative to target age-related hearing loss. This scoping review assesses whether the use of hearing aids may increase social connectivity and reduce loneliness in adults ages 50 and older living with age-related hearing loss. We identified six qualifying studies across three databases and found that hearing aid adherence improves social connectivity among older adults. Of six studies, one study showed that non-hearing aid use mediated the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline with social isolation acting as a mediating factor, while another found that increased usage improved social participation. Given that hearing aid use is an effective treatment for age-related hearing loss, there is a substantiated need for policy and governmental involvement to improve access and affordability.