Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 16: Older adults experiencing both hearing loss and feelings of loneliness face a significantly faster rate of cognitive decline, potentially leading to dementia, a new international study has revealed.

Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, found that loneliness—even in the absence of actual social isolation—intensifies the impact of hearing impairment on memory and brain health.

“We discovered that older individuals who feel lonely, even if they aren't socially isolated, experience faster cognitive decline when also suffering from hearing loss,” said Prof. Matthias Kliegel, lead researcher from UNIGE’s Cognitive Ageing Laboratory.

Published in Communications Psychology, the study analysed data from over 33,000 seniors across 12 European countries to understand how hearing issues and perceived loneliness interact.

The researchers identified three distinct groups:

1. Socially isolated and lonely
2. Not socially isolated but still feel lonely
3. Socially isolated but not lonely

Interestingly, those in the second group—socially active but emotionally lonely—were most vulnerable when also dealing with hearing loss. In such cases, the study suggested that simple interventions like hearing aids could reduce cognitive decline by enabling better communication and social engagement.

“Removing the sensory barrier can significantly improve quality of life and protect brain function,” added Charikleia Lampraki, postdoctoral researcher at UNIGE.

The study aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.5 billion people could experience hearing issues by 2050, with over 25% of those aged 60+ already living with disabling hearing loss.

The findings underscore the importance of early hearing care and addressing emotional well-being—not just physical health—as a strategy to reduce the risk of dementia.