Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is common and a known risk factor for social disengagement in later life. This study explored social functioning following a diagnosis of ARHL. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach we developed an interview schedule to advance a grounded theory from data collected from six older adults who used either hearing aids or cochlear implants. Interview questions concerned social functioning as well as focusing on their perspective of the impact of ARHL on cognitive functioning. We describe a grounded theory conceived as ‘Reconnecting to Others’. This theory posits that participants faced social challenges in relation to their ARHL, and resolved these challenges partly through the use of hearing aids and cochlear implantation. The theory also emphasises the importance of help from other hearing aid users for new users, and corroborates prior findings about strategies older adults with ARHL use to cope with their hearing impairment in various social situations. Once hearing aids and cochlear implants are used and adapted to with the help of peers, participants completed their journey by helping others who had received diagnoses of ARHL. Additionally, participants spoke of the pleasure of hearing again. Interestingly, no participant felt that their ARHL had impacted their cognitive functioning. Our theory provides a basis for explaining existing quantitative findings as well as creating new hypotheses for future testing.

与年龄有关的听力损失（ARHL）很常见，并且是以后生活中社交活动脱离的已知风险因素。这项研究探讨了ARHL诊断后的社会功能。使用建构主义的扎根理论方法，我们制定了访谈时间表，以从六个使用助听器或人工耳蜗的老年人收集的数据中发展扎根理论。访谈问题涉及社会功能，以及侧重于他们对ARHL对认知功能的影响的观点。我们描述了一种根植于“重新与他人联系”的扎根理论。该理论认为，参与者面临与其ARHL相关的社会挑战，并通过使用助听器和人工耳蜗来部分解决这些挑战。该理论还强调了其他助听器用户对新用户的帮助的重要性，并证实了有关老年人使用ARHL来应对各种社交场合中听力障碍的策略的先前发现。一旦使用了助听器和人工耳蜗并在同伴的帮助下进行了调整，参加者便会通过帮助接受过ARHL诊断的其他人来完成他们的旅程。此外，参与者谈到再次听到的乐趣。有趣的是，没有参与者认为他们的ARHL影响了他们的认知功能。我们的理论为解释现有的定量结果以及为将来的测试创建新的假设提供了基础。一旦使用了助听器和人工耳蜗并在同伴的帮助下进行了调整，参加者便会通过帮助接受过ARHL诊断的其他人来完成他们的旅程。此外，参与者谈到再次听到的乐趣。有趣的是，没有参与者认为他们的ARHL影响了他们的认知功能。我们的理论为解释现有的定量结果以及为将来的测试创建新的假设提供了基础。一旦使用了助听器和人工耳蜗并在同伴的帮助下进行了调整，参加者便会通过帮助接受过ARHL诊断的其他人来完成他们的旅程。此外，参与者谈到再次听到的乐趣。有趣的是，没有参与者认为他们的ARHL影响了他们的认知功能。我们的理论为解释现有的定量结果以及为将来的测试创建新的假设提供了基础。