Project Description

There is substantial evidence for a bidirectional relationship between hearing and social context, particularly evident in individuals with hearing loss (HL). But the mechanisms driving HL-related social exclusion and loneliness are not well understood, particularly regarding the impact of loss of nuance in understanding social and emotional cues. Do individuals withdraw socially because HL makes engaging with social contacts too difficult and frustrating? Or do misunderstandings and lack of attention to socioemotional cues lead to conflict, destabilizing social ties? What types of social networks can mitigate these negative effects? And what mediating role does subjective loneliness play? Furthermore, what neurophysiological processes modulate these social interactions, and how can understanding these processes improve hearing aid algorithms to enhance social functioning and increase hearing aid uptake? These and related questions will be explored in this interdisciplinary project. In the first project component (C1), we use quantitative and qualitative survey data to investigate the connections between hearing, social networks, and social support. In the second project component (C2), we examine the interplay between HL and neural networks linked to social behavior. In the third project component (C3), we develop an interdisciplinary theoretical framework that draws on sociological action theories and the active inference framework from theoretical neuroscience to support the empirical components. All project components will inform each other throughout the project to develop a socio-neuroscientific perspective on hearing and social behavior.

Project Start

Fall 2025

Project Duration

4-5 Years

Principle Investigators

• Prof. Dr. Sebastian Schnettler | Inst. of Social Sciences, University of Oldenburg
• Prof. Dr. Ulla Licandro | Dept. of Special Needs Education & Rehabilitation, University of Oldenburg & Associated Member of Hearing4All Excellence Cluster
• Prof. Dr. Christiane Thiel | Dept.  of Psychology, Biological Psychology & Board Member of Hearing4All Excellence Cluster

Project Staff

• Postdoc with Experience in Survey Analysis (NN)
• Postdoc with Experience in Neuroscientific Methods (NN)

Cooperation Partners

• Prof. Dr. Kathrin Boerner | Prevention & Rehabilitation Research, Dept. of Health Services Research, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg
• Prof. Dr. Michael Feldhaus | Institute of Social Sciences, University of Oldenburg
• Prof. Dr. Johannes Huinink | Social Research Methods, SOCIUM/University of Bremen
• Prof. Dr. Dr. René Hurlemann, MBA | Medical Director, Karl-Jaspers-Clinic & Director, Univ.-Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Oldenburg
• Prof. Dr. Adam Linson | School of Computing & Communications, Open University
• Prof. Dr. Michael Windzio | Social Research Methods, SOCIUM/University of Bremen