Older people are less extroverted. That’s not only due to age, but also to loss of hearing, according to a study at Göteborg University. The study was done over a six-year period with 400 people between the ages 80-98 examined every other year based on both physical and mental health issues. Their personalities were also considered, such as whether they were extroverts and how their emotional stability was. It was found that the participants became less extroverted over the years, even though their emotional stability remained unchanged. The fact that the individuals were no longer as outgoing as they once were wasn't related to any physical or cognitive disabilities, however it showed that reduced hearing had something to do with it. ”If you look at the population in general, then older people are less extroverted and reduced hearing may lead to someone becoming more of an introvert,” says Anne Ingeborg Berg, one of the people responsible for the study. The average age of the participants in the study was 83. The study was conducted, according to Berg, because little is known about this target group.

"We know more about what happens earlier in life, but we know less about what happens later in life,” she says. It has yet to be investigated whether a loss of hearing also affects how extroverted younger people are. ”I’ve never seen these connections before; it is possible it also affects the younger.” Even though reduced hearing is an obstacle, Berg is careful to say this is not a change in personality, though the study does point to them as ”small, but significant changes,” she adds. She also believes older people are less inclined to seek help for their hearing loss. "With increased age we get poorer hearing, and I think many people think that 'I’ve got to live with it.' But perhaps it’s that they cannot get the hearing aid to work because it’s too difficult, and that’s a problem that’s more common among older people.” If your hearing is reduced, it may make certain situations unpleasant, such as being among a lot of people.
”Your hearing can affect your ability to assimilate in certain situations, but we know that meeting others and socializing with people is good for us,” Berg concludes.