A new large-scale study suggests that loneliness may be more than a social issue—it could also be a risk factor for hearing loss.
Researchers from Tianjin University, Shenyang Medical College, Shengjing Hospital, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed data from nearly half a million people in the UK Biobank.
The results, published May 2, 2025, in Health Data Science, show that lonely individuals had a 24% higher risk of developing hearing loss over time, even after adjusting for other known risks such as age, lifestyle, and genetics.
Over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years, the study tracked 490,865 participants, measuring loneliness through self-reports and hearing loss via electronic health records.
The link between loneliness and hearing loss remained significant, especially for sensorineural hearing loss—a type related to inner ear or nerve damage.
Lead researcher Yunlong Song explained, “We found that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of developing hearing loss, independent of other well-known risk factors.”
The effect was stronger in women, and not influenced by genetic predisposition, suggesting loneliness operates through different biological pathways.
The team proposed several possible mechanisms, including increased inflammation, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels, all of which are known to contribute to chronic health issues.
Co-author Bin Yu added that the next step is to identify the underlying behavioral and physiological factors and to explore whether reducing loneliness can prevent or delay hearing loss.
The study offers compelling evidence that tackling loneliness could be key to protecting long-term hearing health.
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