EFFECTS OF HEARING AID USE ON FUNCTIONAL HEALTH STATUS

Hearing loss affects communication ability, of course, but there is also considerable evidence that hearing loss affects general health status.

For example, Mulrow, et al. (1990) demonstrated that “marked social, emotional and communication difficulties are caused (even by mild) hearing loss”

The data, indicates because of their hearing loss, individuals may experience increased feelings or isolation, depression, loneliness, anger and frustration. Researchers have speculated that the increased incidence of health dysfunction may be a result of these feeling of isolation, depression and frustration.

Studies have shown “hearing aids are very successful treatments for reversing the social, emotional and communication dysfunction caused by hearing impairment.” Hearing aids can also improve functional health status.