Aging and hearing aids: Role of hearing aids in social interaction

Abstract

　To promote social participation and interaction of the elderly, countermeasures against hearing impairment, which is common among the elderly, are extremely valuable. Evidence has been accumulated to suggest hearing impairment is a risk factor for various disadvantageous circumstances in the elderly. According to a report of the World Health Organization published in 2017, the employment situation of hearing-impaired people is a cause for concern, and at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2017, hearing impairment was cited as one of the nine potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. In regard to the effects of hearing aids prescribed for coping with hearing impairment, studies with various research designs have conducted evaluations of different aspects in persons with hearing impairment, such as employment, income, depression, social isolation, cognitive function, etc. The results reported from various countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France and Australia have not always been consistent. The conflicting reports suggest that perhaps long-term observation and a large number of subjects are needed to evaluate the effects of hearing aids on factors other than hearing. However, handling of hearing impairment and improving the utilization of hearing aids in the elderly are considered matters of high priority for the realization of high longevity and a healthy society in Japan, the country with the highest longevity in the world.