The Psychology of Hearing Health: Exploring the Psychological Impact of Auditory Perception Difficulties on Communication

This Research Topic delves into the intricate psychological aspects of hearing health, with a specific focus on how auditory perception difficulties can profoundly affect an individual's communication abilities and overall well-being. We invite contributions that explore the emotional, cognitive, and social consequences of hearing challenges, as well as innovative strategies to support individuals in navigating these experiences.Themes of interest include the impact of auditory perception difficulties (broadly defined, including but not limited to hearing impairment) on self-esteem and identity, cognitive load during listening, social anxiety and avoidance, stigma and disclosure of hearing status, and the role of psychosocial interventions in optimizing communication and quality of life. Interdisciplinary perspectives from audiology, psychology, neuroscience, and allied fields are encouraged. Manuscript types welcomed include Original Research, Review, Perspective, Clinical Trial, and Opinion. By bringing together cutting-edge research and insights, this Research Topic aims to advance understanding and inform holistic, person-centered approaches to hearing healthcare that prioritize psychological well-being.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to advance understanding of the complex psychological implications of auditory perception difficulties on communication and overall well-being. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives and cutting-edge research, we aim to shed light on the emotional, cognitive, and social challenges faced by individuals with speech perception difficulties due to hearing loss, aging and the like, and identify effective strategies to support their psychological resilience and communication success. This Research Topic seeks to bridge the gap between audiology and mental health, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to develop innovative, person-centered approaches to hearing healthcare that prioritize psychological well-being alongside audiological interventions. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing challenges by providing evidence-based insights and recommendations that empower them to navigate the psychological aspects of their hearing journey with confidence and resilience. By addressing this critical yet often overlooked dimension of hearing health, we hope to transform clinical practice and research to better serve the holistic needs of individuals with auditory perception difficulties.This Research Topic explores the psychological impact of auditory perception difficulties on communication, inviting contributions that investigate the emotional, cognitive, and social consequences of hearing challenges. Key themes include:1. Emotional well-being: self-esteem, identity, anxiety, depression, and stigma related to hearing loss2. Cognitive aspects: listening effort, fatigue, memory, and attentional demands during communication3. Social functioning: relationship dynamics, social withdrawal, disclosure of hearing status, and strategies for effective communication4. Psychosocial interventions: counseling, support groups, resilience training, and integrative approaches to hearing healthcare5. Neuroscience perspectives: brain plasticity, cognitive reserve, and psychological adaptation to hearing challenges.We welcome Original Research (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods), Reviews (systematic, scoping, or narrative), Perspectives, Clinical Trials, Study Protocols, and Opinion articles that advance understanding of the psychological dimensions of auditory perception difficulties and inform person-centered hearing healthcare practices. Topic editors: Ilse Wambacq, Koen DePryck Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/68604/the-psychology-of-hearing-health-exploring-the-psychological-impact-of-auditory-perception-difficulties-on-communication