References
Challenges
Difficulty in communication
1. “In sum, communication with severe hearing loss is an effortful process for the listener.” (Souza et al. 2018)
Challenges
Isolation/social loneliness
1. “Hearing loss is associated with both loneliness and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies are required to clarify the causal relationships and to further investigate the direct impact of early hearing aid fitting on the progression of loneliness and depression.“ (Döge et al. 2025)
Challenges
Increased risk of cognitive decline related to hearing loss:
1. “The high cognitive load of speech processing in people with hearing loss may accelerate neurodegeneration and brain atrophy.” (Calvino et al. 2022)
Challenges
Decreased quality of life
1. “Due to changes in communication patterns, quality of life is strongly reduced in hearing-impaired subjects. According to the National council on the Aging Report comprising 4394 participants only 39% of hearing-impaired elderly have an excellent health compared to 68% in the general population.” (Völter et al. 2020)
Challenges
Risk for depression
1. Profound hearing loss reduces interpersonal contacts, which may result in social exclusion and related psychological consequences, e.g. depression. (Rotkowska et al. 2021)
2. “Hearing loss is associated with both loneliness and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies are required to clarify the causal relationships and to further investigate the direct impact of early hearing aid fitting on the progression of loneliness and depression.“ (Döge et al. 2025)
Challenges
Family support
1. “Family and peer support was listed most frequently. Our survey highlights the importance that early-deafened adults ascribe to family support in contributing to successful cochlear implant use. Family members spend the most time with cochlear implant users, are frequently the main caregivers, and are required to be the most patient and understanding in the immediate postimplantation setting.” (Chee et al., 2004)
Challenges
Reduced employment opportunities
1. “Health-related disorders will become an increasing problem for the individual and a large socio-economic burden for the general population.” (Völter et al. 2020)
Challenges
Financial impact of hearing loss (Hearing devices, medical visits, work-related, private support)
1. “If we would consider the potential indirect cost savings realized by early identification and treatment of hearing loss on the lifelong management of the elderly, the balance between screening costs and cost savings could easily tip the other way.” (Lammers et al. 2025)
Challenges
Increased fatigue related to listening effort
1. “The study highlights that hearing impairment-related fatigue is experienced by many but not all, and to different extents. Hearing aids were weakly linked to a beneficial effect on fatigue. In addition to the more widely researched effort-driven fatigue, participants described fatigue linked to the negative emotions related to having a hearing impairment. These findings, in conjunction with the wide-spread utilisation of different coping strategies, demonstrate that the experience of fatigue is varied and likely dependent on personal factors and lifestyle.” (Holman et al. 2019)