Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be mitigated easily with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. But hearing loss is often neglected and untreated. This can result in greater depression rates and feelings of separation in those with hearing loss.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and work relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and isolation. This is a vicious cycle that can be avoided, and treating your hearing loss is the key to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and its link to depression
It’s true that neglected hearing loss is linked to developing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. One study of people with neglected 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 were also more likely to steer clear of social activities. A lot of them felt like people were getting mad at them and they weren’t sure why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and others in their life also noted the difference.
Another study revealed that people between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 Decibels. People over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a major difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population is not getting the help they need to better their lives.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
It seems as if it would be clear that you should treat your hearing loss when you read reports like this. Maybe you think your hearing is okay. You might think people are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s vital that anyone who has experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people seem to be talking really quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing checked. We can discuss your options if we do find hearing loss. That might be all that you need to feel so much better.
