Utilisation d’internet et solitude chez les personnes âgées portant des appareils auditifs

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between self-reported loneliness and Internet use in hearing aid wearers aged 65 years and over. Sixty-five participants completed the Global Internet Usage and Internet Activities survey (Landers & Lounsbury, 2006) as well as the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996). Results revealed that mean self-reported loneliness was correlated significantly with relationship and self-reported health status. Persons who self-reported they were healthy and in relationships used the Internet more frequently and self-reported to be less lonely than those that were single or with poor health. Results were interpreted to suggest that the hearing aid wearers that might benefit the most from social interaction through the Internet were also the ones that were less likely to use the Internet. We concluded that social interactions through the Internet may help reduce the social isolation of older adults with hearing loss.