Most of us are probably aware that loneliness isn’t good for us—but today’s fact offers the hard-hitting reality of just how bad isolation can be for our overall health. Considered as risky as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, loneliness has also been named an urgent health threat by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
So, why report this here? Because unfortunately, hearing loss puts us at an even higher risk for loneliness and social isolation. Thankfully, hearing aids can be a life-changing solution for hearing loss and aloneness alike. But before we dig into that, let’s explore today’s fact in greater detail.
Social isolation has become a global concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that social isolation and loneliness affect 1 in 4 older adults and 5–15% of adolescents. But it was on the heels of a recent study by the University of Glasgow that WHO decided to take action on social withdrawal: The university’s research uncovered that isolating from loved ones may increase the risk of mortality by nearly 40%.
From there, the WHO’s international Commission on Social Connection was born, with the three-year goal of “combatting” the widespread issue of reclusiveness that escalated during COVID-19 home quarantining.
Murthy, who co-chairs the coalition, described the health impact of loneliness as even greater than that of “obesity and physical inactivity.” And given the dire consequences isolation can have on overall well-being, Murthy declared a global obligation to “make the same investments in rebuilding the social fabric of society that we have made in addressing other global health concerns, such as tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis.”
Hearing aids can help fight loneliness
So, now that we are aware of how crucial it is that we combat aloneness on a global scale, it’s time for some good news: One of the best things we can do to reduce our risk of loneliness is to treat any hearing loss we may have—and hearing aids are a key solution to consider.
Hearing aids can help us maintain our connection to our world—family, friends, activities, and beyond. More specifically, better hearing facilitates engaging in everyday life, sustaining a strong support network, and enjoying an active social life—and the rewards that come with them:
Building a strong support network
Better hearing makes it easier to maintain our relationships with friends, family, caregivers, and other important people in our life and in turn, communicate our needs to them (and vice versa). So, we’ll have our “village”—the people who are there for us when we need them.
Engaging in life
Improved hearing can help us continue to live an active lifestyle, whether that includes taking a guitar class, volunteering, or simply attending more outings with our loved ones. Hearing instructions, having conversations, and enjoying natural sounds around us (e.g. birds chirping, people laughing) contributes to greater joy and overall health.
Socializing
When we can hear better, we are more likely to take part in conversations, make plans with others, go to restaurants or family events, and so on. No more declining invitations—you never have to miss another life moment, with the help of hearing aids.
Connect with a hearing care professional today
Everyone deserves to live a life of connection to their world, and hearing aids can help make that happen. To learn more, reach out to a licensed hearing care professional today. If you don’t have one yet, no problem. Simply type your zip code in here for a list of providers near you.