Hearing loss, loneliness and depression: Results from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS)

Introduction Hearing loss is one of the most common impairments of quality of life. Furthermore, hearing loss has been associated with loneliness and depression and may have important implications for the psychosocial and cognitive health. This study´s objective was to give current information about the prevalence of hearing loss, loneliness and depressive symptoms in a large population-based cohort. Furthermore, hearing loss was correlated with loneliness and depression.

Material and Methods The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a large cohort study and was initiated at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany, in 2007. Since 2017, pure-tone audiograms were performed, and hearing loss was then graduated in percentages according to WHO. In addition, participants completed standardized self-reported instruments to measure loneliness (Loneliness Scale≥2) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9≥10).

Results The main cohort consisted of 5,372 participants with 48.7% being women and 51.3% men. The average age was 61.2 years (SD: 13.3). The prevalence of hearing loss was 41.2%. Loneliness was reported by 9.7% of the participants and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was present in 6.0%. The odds ratio (OR) for loneliness was significantly higher for participants with severe to complete hearing loss (OR 4.201, p=0.0051). Participants with mild to severe hearing loss had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms compared to participants without hearing loss (OR 1.284; p=0.039).

Conclusion The main finding of this study is that hearing loss promotes both loneliness and depression. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the causality and moreover, the direct influence of early hearing aid fitting on the development of loneliness and depression.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2024