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Published in the European Journal of Ageing, the research highlights the importance of early hearing health interventions to support positive ageing experiences.

The study, titled Associations between objective hearing function and subjective views of aging, involved 148 Australians aged 40 to 84 who participated in the app-based “Labs Without Walls” research project. Using validated hearing tests and psychological scales, the researchers examined how hearing ability influenced both general expectations regarding ageing and personal attitudes toward ageing.

Key findings showed that poorer hearing was significantly associated with more negative expectations about maintaining physical health in later life and with more negative self-perceptions of ageing. Interestingly, hearing function did not predict expectations about mental health or cognitive function, nor were these associations moderated by age.

Lead author Jana Koch from ���������¼�’s School of Psychology and Neuroscience Research Australia said, “Our findings suggest that hearing loss may serve as a tangible reminder of ageing, reinforcing negative stereotypes and shaping how individuals view their own ageing process.” 

The study underscores the need for public education and early intervention in hearing health, not only to improve quality of life but also to counteract the psychological impacts of ageing-related hearing decline.

Read the full publication .