PURPOSE: Hearing loss is a risk factor for social isolation and loneliness. We investigated the buffering effects of hearing aid use on perceived social and emotional loneliness. METHOD: Forty older adults participated. Prior to and following the hearing aid fitting, participants completed the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Kamphuis, 1985); a change in feelings of loneliness following hearing aid use was the outcome indicator. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in perceptions of loneliness following 4 to 6 weeks of hearing aid use. A dose effect emerged with persons with moderate-to-severe hearing loss experiencing the greatest reduction in perceived loneliness with hearing aid use. CONCLUSION: Associated with poorer health status and higher consumption of health care services, perceived loneliness is a challenge to treat. Hearing aid use appears to be a buffer against the experience of loneliness.
PURPOSE:Hearing loss is a risk factor for social isolation and loneliness. We investigated the buffering effects of hearing aid use on perceived social and emotional loneliness. METHOD: Forty older adults participated. Prior to and following the hearing aid fitting, participants completed the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Kamphuis, 1985); a change in feelings of loneliness following hearing aid use was the outcome indicator. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in perceptions of loneliness following 4 to 6 weeks of hearing aid use. A dose effect emerged with persons with moderate-to-severe hearing loss experiencing the greatest reduction in perceived loneliness with hearing aid use. CONCLUSION: Associated with poorer health status and higher consumption of health care services, perceived loneliness is a challenge to treat. Hearing aid use appears to be a buffer against the experience of loneliness.
Authors: Bret R Rutherford; Katharine Brewster; Justin S Golub; Ana H Kim; Steven P Roose Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2017-12-05 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Justin S Golub; Katharine K Brewster; Adam M Brickman; Adam J Ciarleglio; Ana H Kim; José A Luchsinger; Bret R Rutherford Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2019-02-01 Impact factor: 6.223
Authors: Katharine K Brewster; Martina Pavlicova; Alexandra Stein; Mei Chen; Chen Chen; Patrick J Brown; Steven P Roose; Ana H Kim; Justin S Golub; Adam Brickman; Jessica Galatioto; Megan Kuhlmey; Bret R Rutherford Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2020-04-23 Impact factor: 3.485
Authors: Justin S Golub; Katharine K Brewster; Adam M Brickman; Adam J Ciarleglio; Ana H Kim; José A Luchsinger; Bret R Rutherford Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2020-01-21 Impact factor: 4.105