Loneliness Linked to Higher Risk of Hearing Loss, Chinese Study Finds
Tianjin University Research Shows Loneliness Increases Hearing Loss Risk by 24%, Independent of Other Factors.
Watan-A Chinese study has revealed strong evidence suggesting that loneliness may independently increase the risk of hearing loss, regardless of other contributing factors.
Conducted by researchers from Tianjin University, the study highlights loneliness as a distinct psychosocial risk factor for hearing loss. The findings were published Thursday in the journal Health Data Science.
Hearing loss is among the most common global health conditions, affecting over 1.5 billion people. While the physiological and behavioral causes are well documented, the influence of psychological and social factors—such as loneliness—has not been sufficiently explored. This study aimed to determine whether loneliness is merely a consequence of hearing loss, or also a contributing factor.
Loneliness Raises Hearing Loss Risk by 24%, Especially in Women, Study Finds
The researchers analyzed data from approximately 491,000 participants, followed over an average of 12.3 years. Participants’ loneliness levels were measured at the beginning of the study using a single self-assessment question, while new cases of hearing loss were identified through electronic health records.
Results showed that individuals who reported feeling lonely were 24% more likely to develop hearing loss compared to those who didn’t, even after adjusting for various factors including age, gender, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, comorbidities, ear-impacting medications, social isolation, depression, and genetic predisposition.
The association between loneliness and hearing loss was particularly evident in cases of sensorineural hearing loss—caused by damage to the cochlea or auditory nerves—and appeared stronger in women than in men.
Researchers noted that while genetic predisposition to hearing loss increases risk, it did not weaken the effect of loneliness, suggesting loneliness operates through independent biological and psychological pathways.
Researchers Urge Treating Loneliness as a Public Health Risk Linked to Hearing Loss
The team proposed several possible mechanisms behind the link, including inflammation driven by loneliness, elevated blood pressure, stress-related hormonal changes, chronic illnesses, and unhealthy behaviors commonly associated with loneliness such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and sleep disorders.
The findings underscore a close connection between social-emotional states and physical health, urging public health officials to treat loneliness not just as an emotional condition but as a serious health issue.
The researchers concluded that the results pave the way for including psychosocial and community-based programs in hearing loss prevention strategies. If future studies confirm that reducing loneliness lowers hearing loss risk, this could open new avenues for mental and social health interventions aimed at preserving auditory function.
