---
title: The Social Impact of Hearing Loss
description: Hearing keeps us connected to the people around us, and usually it’s how we communicate with others. Read more about the social impact of hearing loss.
image: https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hubfs/images/blog/NZH_May%20Blog.png
---
[  ](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz)
- [Hearing Services](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/)
- [Basic Hearing Check](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/basic-hearing-checks/)
- [Full Diagnostic Hearing Assessment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/full-diagnostic-testing/)
- [Tinnitus Assesment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/tinnitus-assessment/)
- [New Hearing Aid Fitting](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/new-hearing-aid-fitting/)
- [Child Hearing Assessment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/child-hearing-assessment/)
- [Custom Hearing Protection](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/custom-hearing-protection/)
- [Hearing Aid Maintenance & Support](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/hearing-aid-maintenance-and-support/)
- [Pre-Employment / Workplace Hearing Test](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/full-diagnostic-testing/)
- [Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/auditory-processing-disorder-apd/)
- [Micro Suction Ear Wax Removal](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/micro-suction-ear-wax-removal/)
- [Hearing Aid Funding](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aid-funding/)
- [Hearing Aids](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/)
- [Our Products](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/our-products/)
- [Care & How-to's](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/care-and-how-tos/)
- [Insuring your Hearing Aids](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/insuring-your-hearing-aids)
- [Hearing Aid Battery Recycling](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-battery-recycling/)
- [Locked vs. Unlocked Hearing Aids](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/locked-vs-unlocked-hearing-aids/)
- [Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/)
- [How we hear](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/how-we-hear/)
- [Symptoms of Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/symptoms-of-hearing-loss/)
- [Types of Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/types-of-hearing-loss/)
- [Impact on Health](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/impact-on-health/)
- [Local Client Stories](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/case-studies/)
- [Tinnitus](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/tinnitus-information/)
- [Blog](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/)
- [Clinics](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/contact/)
- [Hearing Check](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/online-hearing-check)
Make that appointment for you or a loved one
Make that appointment for you or a loved one
[Request Appt](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/contact/)
- [Hearing Services](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/)
- [Basic Hearing Check](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/basic-hearing-checks/)
- [Full Diagnostic Hearing Assessment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/full-diagnostic-testing/)
- [Tinnitus Assesment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/tinnitus-assessment/)
- [New Hearing Aid Fitting](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/new-hearing-aid-fitting/)
- [Child Hearing Assessment](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/child-hearing-assessment/)
- [Custom Hearing Protection](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/custom-hearing-protection/)
- [Hearing Aid Maintenance & Support](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/hearing-aid-maintenance-and-support/)
- [Pre-Employment / Workplace Hearing Test](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/full-diagnostic-testing/)
- [Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/auditory-processing-disorder-apd/)
- [Micro Suction Ear Wax Removal](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-services/micro-suction-ear-wax-removal/)
- [Hearing Aid Funding](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aid-funding/)
- [Hearing Aids](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/)
- [Our Products](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/our-products/)
- [Care & How-to's](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/care-and-how-tos/)
- [Insuring your Hearing Aids](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/insuring-your-hearing-aids)
- [Hearing Aid Battery Recycling](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-battery-recycling/)
- [Locked vs. Unlocked Hearing Aids](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/locked-vs-unlocked-hearing-aids/)
- [Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/)
- [How we hear](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/how-we-hear/)
- [Symptoms of Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/symptoms-of-hearing-loss/)
- [Types of Hearing Loss](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/types-of-hearing-loss/)
- [Impact on Health](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/impact-on-health/)
- [Local Client Stories](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-loss/case-studies/)
- [Tinnitus](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/tinnitus-information/)
- [Blog](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/)
- [Clinics](https://newzealandhearing.co.nz/contact/)
- [Hearing Check](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/online-hearing-check)
[<< Back to All Articles](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog)
# The Social Impact of Hearing Loss
Hearing keeps us connected to the people around us. For most of us, it’s how we communicate with others. Humans are hard-wired for connection and participating in meaningful conversations is one important way we connect. Sadly, hearing loss can significantly inhibit our communication, creating divides and potentially leading to social isolation.
Have you ever avoided a particular cafe or restaurant or skipped out on a party because it’s just “too hard to hear”? Unfortunately, this is common, particularly if you have any degree of hearing loss. Hearing in noise is a challenge regardless of how well you hear, and any change in hearing makes these situations even more difficult. However, socially isolating yourself because of the challenges can lead to a myriad of health conditions like anxiety, depression, loneliness, even [dementia](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/hearing-loss-dementia-stay-social)1,2,3.
It may seem like a small thing to skip out once in a while but when it becomes a frequent habit, we start to see the impact on mental health. Researchers have found that depression and anxiety are 59% more likely with untreated hearing loss and can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Untreated hearing loss can negatively impact friendships, family communication and relationships with healthcare providers.
It’s important to take care of your hearing for overall quality of life, don’t leave it until it severely impacts your happiness. Start by scheduling regular hearing checks as part of your annual health physicals. This is especially important as we age, so once you hit your 60th birthday, make your hearing a priority. [Talk with your local hearing exper](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/contact/)t to learn more about hearing and your mental health.
References:
1. Mondelli MFCG, de Souza PJS. (2012). Quality of Life in Elderly Adults Before and After Hearing Aid Fitting. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 78(3):49-56.
2. Contrera KJ, Betz J, Deal J, Choi JS, Ayonayon HN, et al. (2017). Association of Hearing Impairment and Anxiety in Older Adults. J Aging Health. 29(1)178-184.
3. Thomson RS, Auduong P, Miller AT, Gurgel RK. (2017). Hearing Loss as a Risk Factor for Dementia: A Systematic Review. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. doi:10.1002/lio2.65.
Article contributed on Wednesday 26 May 2021 by
Elise Gregoire, Doctor of Audiology
[More articles by this author](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/author/elise-gregoire-doctor-of-audiology)
[<< Back to All Articles](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog)
## New Zealand, make that appointment
### And give yourself a pat on the back for being proactive
- Quick Links
- [About Us](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/about/)
- [Love Your Hearing Foundation](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/love-your-hearing-foundation/)
- [Join Us](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/join-us/)
- [Refer a Friend](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/refer-a-friend/)
- [Blog](https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/frequently-asked-questions/)
- [Care & How-to's](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/care-and-how-tos/)
- [Hearing Aid Battery Recycling](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-battery-recycling/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/privacy-policy/)
- Local Clinics
- [Brenna Sincock Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/brenna-sincock-hearing/)
- [Ed Thynne Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/ed-thynne-hearing/)
- [Hamilton Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hamilton-hearing/)
- [Laura Arnold Audiology](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/laura-arnold-audiology/)
- [Lisa Keen Audiology](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/lisa-keen-audiology/)
- [Melanie Mackenzie Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/melanie-mackenzie-hearing/)
- [New Zealand Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/new-zealand-hearing/)
- [Sarah Lies Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/sarah-lies-hearing/)
- [Teresa Burns Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/teresa-burns-hearing/)
- [Wanaka Hearing](https://www.newzealandhearing.co.nz/wanaka-hearing/)
New Zealand Hearing proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated.
love your hearing
Follow us for more
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Elise Gregoire, Doctor of Audiology",
"url" : "https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/author/elise-gregoire-doctor-of-audiology"
},
"dateModified" : "2021-05-26T03:29:01.942Z",
"datePublished" : "2021-05-26T03:11:12.000Z",
"headline" : "The Social Impact of Hearing Loss",
"image" : [ "https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hubfs/images/blog/NZH_May%20Blog.png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/blog/the-social-impact-of-hearing-loss",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.newzealandhearing.co.nz/hubfs/images/logos/nzh-new.png"
},
"name" : "Audiology Support"
}
}
```