Researchers have discovered that as people age and develop sensory disabilities, their mental health often deteriorates, with different types of sensory loss relating to unique mental health challenges.
A significant majority of adults in the U.S.—up to 94%—notice a decline in their senses over time, leading to struggles like squinting at screens, seeking out bolder flavors, and frequently missing parts of conversations. Scientists at the University of Chicago Medicine are studying how these sensory changes can go beyond mere annoyance to have a real negative impact on the mental health of older individuals.
“When you start to lose your senses, your ability to engage with the world diminishes,” explained Jayant Pinto, MD, a physician at UChicago Medicine specializing in olfactory dysfunction. “You might struggle to hear your friends at a dinner table or recognize what’s happening around you; reading or navigating your neighborhood might become challenging. All of these factors intensify cognitive demands, wearing you down gradually and potentially leading to mental health issues.”
Alongside Alexander Wang, a medical student at the UChicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Pinto conducted a study that looked into the prevalence and consequences of sensory impairments among senior citizens. Their findings suggest that individuals with sensory disabilities frequently report poorer mental health, with different sensory impairments correlating with various mental health aspects.
Understanding the connections between perception and emotion
The team at UChicago examined data on sensory capabilities (including vision, hearing, and smell) along with self-reported mental health information from nearly 4,000 older adults over a decade, all part of the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project. They discovered that individuals with multiple sensory impairments felt lonelier and exhibited significantly lower self-reported mental well-being, while those with three types of sensory impairments were more susceptible to frequent depressive episodes. Among the senses examined, vision impairment was most closely tied to feelings of loneliness and poor self-rated mental health.
While researchers continue to investigate how changes in all five senses affect individuals, the team already recognizes many ways in which a decline in sensory abilities directly contributes to loneliness, sadness, and boredom.
For instance, older adults suffering from vision issues might find it hard to leave their homes or recognize the faces of loved ones, while hearing loss can lead to awkward and frustrating conversations. The inability to smell can also take away the joy derived from familiar scents, such as a cherished home-cooked meal or a loved one’s distinctive fragrance, which, even if subtly, influence social relationships.
“We observed that loss of hearing and vision was linked to worse self-rated mental health and feelings of loneliness. In contrast, olfactory loss showed a weaker connection,” Wang noted. “This caught my attention because hearing and vision impairments are often more socially stigmatized than issues with smell. It made me consider how social stigma might be contributing to this decline in mental health.”
Supporting one another in an aging society
Given the presence of this stigma, the researchers emphasize the urgency of enhancing access to mental health services and increasing awareness surrounding the relationship between sensory loss and mental stress. In particular, gaining insight into how distinct sensory disabilities influence the long-term mental well-being of older adults could assist healthcare professionals—especially primary care physicians, otolaryngologists, and ophthalmologists—in recognizing mental health conditions when they notice sensory impairment in their patients, offering chances for customized and timely interventions.
Alongside addressing older adults’ mental health proactively, the researchers outlined methods to alleviate the daily impacts of sensory difficulties, which would ultimately ease the detrimental effects on mental wellness.
“We live in an aging society; most of us have a relative who’s growing older and facing challenges. It’s a shared responsibility,” Pinto remarked. “Reducing the struggles faced by our aging family and friends can significantly influence their lives, productivity, and overall quality of life.”
On a personal level, friends and family can assist by being patient and discovering more effective ways to communicate, such as speaking clearly or utilizing written notes. On a broader scale, public policies and community initiatives should focus on making public venues more accessible and providing resources that enhance the quality of life for all.
Pinto further pointed out various technologies and medical solutions available that can help accommodate sensory impairments. For example, options for hearing loss include cochlear implants, hearing aids, and other assistive devices—studies indicate these can slow cognitive decline while also enhancing the quality of life. For vision impairment, there are glasses, contact lenses, cataract surgeries, and LASIK, alongside accessibility aids like text-to-speech software. Even in cases of smell loss, healthcare professionals may be able to assist by addressing sinus inflammation or offering smell training.
“In many instances, we can lessen sensory difficulties in ways that could actually enhance people’s lives, mental well-being, and feelings of loneliness, which is a significant issue,” Pinto stated. “These straightforward approaches can make a considerable difference for individuals and society at large.”
Recognizing and destigmatizing sensory disabilities
The researchers made a conscious choice to use the term “disability” throughout their report to highlight the significant effects sensory impairments can have on people’s lives. This terminology also aligns with initiatives aimed at destigmatizing these conditions and fostering a more inclusive healthcare approach.
“To some extent, society already regards diminished sensory abilities as disabilities—think of the blind and Deaf communities,” Wang remarked. “Like many marginalized groups, the disabled community has historically faced challenges with the medical sector, often resulting in distress and limited access to mental health resources. By fostering better understanding and compassion, we can strive to enhance the quality of care for older adults and disabled individuals.”
Wang hopes that using this terminology will encourage more healthcare providers to shift from the Medical Model of Disability, which views disability as a deficiency requiring ‘fixing,’ to the Social Model of Disability, which sees it as an identity shaped by society’s failure to be accessible and accommodating.
Recognizing sensory impairments as disabilities and their influence on mental well-being is crucial for providing comprehensive and compassionate care. By tackling the medical, social, and environmental obstacles that worsen these impairments, healthcare professionals—and society as a whole—can better assist seniors in preserving their independence.
