The lived experience of hearing loss: a systematic review with narrative synthesis

Hearing loss impacts all aspects of life, including communication, relationships, and psychosocial health. This review aimed to identify and synthesise existing research on the lived experience of adults with hearing loss.

Using a logic model framework, the review explored four elements: social support, agency and capability, auditory lifeworld and patient centred care. The model informed search strategies across five databases. Narrative analysis and synthesis of the included papers drew on principles of thematic analysis to identify how each element of lived experience was described in the studies.

Of 8,137 studies screened, 62 papers met the inclusion criteria, of which 57 fulfilled inclusion for one category, and five papers fulfilled criteria for inclusion in two categories.

The experience of hearing loss model was examined through research evidence derived from international studies. The components of the model described patterns in research evidence.

This systematic review and narrative synthesis provides a comprehensive description of the literature on the lived experience of hearing loss. Even with hearing care, the challenges of living with hearing loss persist. A deeper understanding of how hearing loss is experienced can guide audiological practice.