Sounds of silence--coping with hearing loss and loneliness.

The vast majority of people will suffer presbycusis during the aging process. This hearing loss has potential social consequences, which place these individuals at risk for loneliness. Nurses need to encourage thorough audiological examination and follow through on recommendations to improve hearing. The use of hearing aids needs to be encouraged. A suggested model of interaction among variables influencing loneliness identifies areas amenable to nursing intervention. Frequency of significant interaction and motivation to engage in interactions represent two important variables that influence loneliness.