Intro: In Australia, older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter Indigenous) Australians have the highest prevalence of hearing loss, with Indigenous-specific audiological services being provided. However, there is limited research on the experiences older Indigenous Australians have with hearing loss and audiological services. Therefore, this study aimed to consolidate existing literature with a scoping review, specifically on the above to identify gaps and guide future research. Method: Ten databases were searched, identifying 539 records; twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. Our inclusion criteria constituted research of any design on the experiences of older Indigenous Australians (aged 45+) with hearing loss and audiological services. Results: Sixteen studies reported on experiences with hearing loss, four studies reported on experiences with audiological services, and one study reported on both experiences. Prevalence of hearing loss was estimated to be 20-34% in older Indigenous Australians; a discrepancy between self-reported and objective hearing difficulties was also identified. Audiological services currently available to older Indigenous Australians were also underutilised. Conclusions: Future experimental/correlational research with Indigenous Australians is required to uncover: (1) the reasons for underreported hearing loss; (2) types of hearing loss experienced; (3) barriers to accessing audiological services; and (4) best hearing-loss management and rehabilitation practices.

Objectives: Mental-health issues accounted for 418 million disability-adjusted life years in 2019, costing the world economy approximately US$5 trillion. Untreated hearing loss is a well-known modifiable risk factor for mental-health issues, with severe-to-profound hearing loss having the largest impact. Therefore, treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss, namely with cochlear implantation, could help to alleviate psychological distress. However, previous studies have failed to include comprehensive measures of mental health or adequate controls. The current study thus aimed to conduct a controlled, longitudinal investigation of how cochlear implantation affects depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Participants: Participants were 87 adults assigned to conditions based on hearing status: normal hearing ( n = 44), received cochlear implant ( n = 26), or untreated hearing loss ( n = 17). Main Outcome Measures: The short-form Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was given at four timepoints (baseline, three months, six months, 12 months). Data were analysed with linear mixed-effects modelling. Results: Results showed that cochlear implants helped to stabilise anxiety and stress symptoms, while depression symptoms were observed to worsen over time despite treatment. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss with cochlear implantation can help to alleviate associated anxiety and stress symptoms; associated depressive symptoms did not benefit. Due to the current study’s non-randomised treatment allocation, future randomised controlled trials are required for confirmation. The present findings help inform clinical and societal interventions for mental-health issues associated with hearing loss.