The NCOA survey found that, among hearing aid users, 14% who suffered from mild hearing loss and 22% who suffered from severe hearing loss felt sad or depressed for two weeks or more each year; the same figures among non-users were almost double.

Only 7% of hearing aid users with mild hearing loss and 12% with severe hearing loss had felt worried, tense or anxious for a month or more during the past year. The same figures for non-users were significantly higher.

When it came to social activities, 57% of hearing aid users who suffered from mild hearing loss participated regularly in social activities with little or no problems. Among those with a severe hearing loss the figure was 52%. For non-users, the figures were 37% and 32%, respectively. In other words, people who use hearing aids were 20% more likely to regularly participate in social activities. The vast majority of non-users reported avoiding social activities they would otherwise enjoy because of communication difficulties. 

A very small percentage of users with mild hearing loss replied ”yes” to the statement that ”other people get angry at me for no reason”. For non-users, the same figure was 54%. 14% of hearing aid users who suffered from severe hearing loss replied ”yes” to the same question, while the figure was 66% for non-users with severe hearing loss.