The hidden loneliness behind hearing loss

There are 12 million people with hearing loss across the UK, which is expected to increase to 15.6 million by 2035.1 Of this, 50,000 are children and half are born with hearing loss while the other half lose their hearing during childhood. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting people over the age of 65. In the UK, 40% of people over 50 years old have hearing loss, rising to 71% of people over the age of 70.1 The impact can be significant, with communication difficulties affecting relationships, employment, or education, leisure activities like music or social gatherings, and threatening independence.2