Why hearing loss leads to isolation and loneliness

The majority of the population take hearing for granted, and it is undeniably related to health, well-being, communication, independence and quality of life. However, 11 million people in the UK are thought to have a hearing impairment, making it the second most common disability in the UK and audiology services essential. Not only in the provision of the devices but the aftercare and the pastoral support offered to the user.

Inadequate maintenance of hearing aids can lead to them being ineffective, and therefore users experiencing hearing loss once again.

Hearing loss can impact an individual on many levels, including withdrawal from social situations, emotional distress and depression. Research undertaken by Action on Hearing, a leader in the industry, shows that people with hearing impairments and who don’t use fully functional hearing aids are at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness and five times more likely to develop dementia.

This is why proper maintenance is vital and where local churches play an equally vital role. This is due to churches being uniquely position and ideally located within the heart of the community, to be able to offer both; practical maintenance and pastoral care, all within close proximity, in the towns or villages, of hearing aid users.

Hear first hand from a hearing aid user and Hear Here volunteer how the project has helped him and his community:

"Having a hearing aid has greatly improved my ability to hear in meetings and not feel left out.", "I have found that using the hearing aids alerted me to sounds I had previously been ignoring".

He continues, "So many in our congregation and the wider community have previously suffered in silence, and to the fact that many hearing aid users give up because of easily solved issues like blocked tubes or dead batteries.". "The opportunity service to the wider community, and hence greater pastoral involvement is also a major potential benefit"

Read our Hear Here Project brochure to find out how you can support hearing aid users within your community.