A growing number of studies point to the myriad of negative physical, social, emotional, and economic effects of hearing loss. However, most of this research focuses on the hearing-impaired individual, and not their communication partners such as their family members, spouses, or significant others. In a paper published in the February 2015 edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (JAAA), Rebecca Kamil and Frank Lin, MD, PhD, provide a systematic review of the literature about how hearing loss in older adults affects their communication partners. What emerged was evidence of restricted social life, burden in communication, and poorer quality of life and relationship satisfaction.

A total of 16 of the studies in the systematic review found that hearing loss in an individual led to reduced quality of life for the partner. Seven of the studies cited communication difficulties as a source of stress and lower satisfaction levels with the relationship, and 4 studies indicated that the communication partner experienced decreased social interactions due to the challenges related to the person with hearing loss.

Several studies included in Kamil & Lin’s review looked at how treatment of hearing loss via hearing aids, cochlear implants, and/or aural rehabilitation impacted the partner. The authors noted “Overall, these interventions were associated with improvements in quality of life, relationship satisfaction, communication, and social functioning for the partner.” Some areas of improvement included the ability to enjoy life, conversations, TV, group activities, and feelings toward the hard of hearing person. In conclusion, they state that “…further research, clinical decision making, and health policy should account for possible cascading effects of hearing impairment on dyadic partners and communication partners.”

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