Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be alleviated easily with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Unfortunately, hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. For individuals who suffered from hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-isolation and depression.
It can also cause a breakdown in personal and professional relationships, which itself will foster more feelings of depression and isolation. The key to putting a stop to that downward spiral is getting treatment for your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its link to depression
We’ve known that hearing loss can lead to feelings of separation and depression for a long time now. Adults older than 50 with untreated hearing loss often describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They were also more likely to avoid social activities. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting mad at them and they weren’t sure why. However, individuals who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and those around them – family, colleagues, and friends – also said they noticed improvements.
Another study found that individuals between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Individuals over the age of 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a major difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But there are still a lot of people who need assistance and aren’t getting it.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to wear hearing aids impacts mental health
With reported results like these, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to treat your hearing loss. Maybe you just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You may think people are mumbling.
Another issue could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too expensive or time consuming.
It’s essential that anybody who has experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the sense that they are being left out of interactions because people seem to be talking really quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing assessed. We can discuss your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel much better.
