Hearing Aids can help lessen the negative consequence of the prevalent condition of hearing loss. However, a lot of hearing loss goes undiagnosed and untreated – and that can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of solitude in those who suffer from hearing loss.
It can also result in a strain in work and personal relationships, which itself adds to more feelings of isolation and depression. Getting hearing loss treated is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Research Connects Depression to Hearing Loss
Symptoms of depression have been continuously connected, according to countless studies, to hearing loss. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and paranoia were, according to one study, more likely to affect people over 50 who have neglected hearing loss. And it was also more likely that those people would withdraw from social engagement. Many said that they felt as if people were getting frustrated with them for no apparent reason. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – family, co-workers, and friends – also saw improvements.
A more profound sense of depression is experienced, as reported by a different study, by people who suffered from a 25 decibel or more hearing impairment. The only group that didn’t report a higher occurrence of depression even with hearing loss was individuals 70 years old or older. But all other demographics have people who aren’t getting the help that they need for their hearing loss. And individuals who took part in another study reported that those people who managed their hearing loss using hearing aids had a lower depression rate.
Mental Health is Affected by Resistance to Using Hearing Aids
With documented results like those, you would think that people would need to deal with their hearing loss. But people don’t find help for two principal reasons. First, some people simply don’t think their hearing is that impaired. They assume that people are deliberately speaking quietly or mumbling. The second factor is that some people may not realize they have a hearing impairment. It seems, to them, that people don’t like to talk to them.
If you are someone who regularly feels like people are talking quietly or mumbling and it’s causing you to feel anxiety or even depression, it’s time for a hearing test. If there is hearing loss, that person needs to talk about which hearing aid is best for them. You could possibly feel much better if you go to see a hearing specialist.
