Erik Jorgensen, Au.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Soundscape & Audiology Research Lab
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hearing-related Behavior and Social-emotional Health
Hearing loss is associated with increased risks of loneliness and depression. The mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. In this talk, we outline a possible hearing-related behavior framework for understanding how hearing loss may lead to negative social-emotional health outcomes. The framework posits that acoustic environments and perceptual abilities, including the effects of hearing loss and audiologic intervention, interact in complex ways to influence long-term well-being. We then provide preliminary empirical evidence testing this theory. Our results provide support for our hypothesized pathway from hearing loss to depression; however, the results also suggest that hearing aid use may change daily life behaviors in fundamental ways that call into question traditional philosophies of hearing aid benefit and outcome.
Funded by NIH/NIDCD and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (R21DC021512)