Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and unaddressed. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of separation in those who have hearing loss.
And these feelings of depression and isolation can be increased by the breakdown of work and personal relationships which often come with hearing loss. This is a vicious cycle that can be avoided, and treating your hearing loss is the solution to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and its link to depression
It’s true that untreated hearing loss is connected to developing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. One study of individuals with untreated hearing loss found that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to describe symptoms of depression, along with indications of paranoia or anxiety. They also reported being less socially involved. Many said that they felt like people were getting mad at them for no reason. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and others in their life also noticed the difference.
Another study found that people between ages 18 and 70, reported an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 Decibels. Increased depression was not reported by individuals over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population is not getting the help they require to improve their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to use hearing aids impacts mental health
It seems as if it would be obvious that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you believe your hearing is okay. You may think people are mumbling.
You may just think it’s too costly.
It’s imperative that anyone who has dealt with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking really quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing checked. If there is hearing loss, we can talk about your options. That might be all you need to feel a whole lot better.