Hearing Loss and Social Isolation in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Role of Neighborhood Disorder and Perceived Social Cohesion

Hearing loss is one of the most common sensory impairments acquired with aging. This condition causes communication difficulties, leading to social isolation, dependence on others, and a reduced quality of life. However, less is known about the influence of environmental factors on the experiences of older adults with hearing loss. This study utilized three waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2013), analyzing data from 3950 community-dwelling older adults. Survey-weighted random intercept models were used to investigate whether hearing loss is associated with social isolation over the three waves and whether this relationship is moderated by neighborhood disorder and perceived neighborhood social cohesion. The study found that older adults with hearing loss were significantly less socially isolated, while the perceived social cohesion significantly moderated the effect of hearing loss on social isolation. Given that hearing function deteriorates with age and hearing aids or other devices are rarely covered by third-party payers, except for some state Medicaid plans or rehabilitation services for veterans, addressing modifiable neighborhood factors may be the most effective way to help individuals remain socially engaged and avoid isolation.