Objective: Age-related hearing loss may induce negative views of ageing, which can predict decreased physical, cognitive, and mental health over time. How hearing loss influences views of ageing, and whether its potential impact is solely negative, remains largely unexplored. This study explored how older adults with hearing loss perceive their ageing experience, using the Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC) framework.
Design: Semi-structured interviews were analysed using deductive thematic analysis guided by the five AARC domains.
Study sample: Fifteen older adults (mean age = 70.8, 60% male) with objectively assessed mild-to-severe age-related hearing loss (mean pure tone average = 38.6 dBHL).
Results: Participants described a wide range of ageing experiences across 17 codes, spanning all five AARC domain and cross-domain themes. While loss-related ageing experiences such as social withdrawal were common, we also identified novel gain-related experiences, including adopting advocacy roles for peers and enhanced feelings of control and stability through proactive hearing management. Two overarching themes shaped experiences across all domains: knowledge-informed adaptation and social comparison.
Conclusions: Our findings highlight the multifaceted nature of ageing with hearing loss. Applying the AARC framework provides novel insights into psychosocial adaptation, with implications for person-centred interventions that support healthy ageing among people experiencing hearing loss.
Keywords: Awareness of age-related change; gains; losses; qualitative research; sensory decline.