Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the common condition of hearing loss. However, hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and unaddressed. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of isolation in those with hearing loss.
And these feelings of depression and separation can be increased by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which often accompany hearing loss. The solution to ending that downward spiral is treating 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. One study of people with untreated hearing loss found that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to describe symptoms of depression, along with signs of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to avoid social activities. Many stated that they thought people were getting angry at them for no reason. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – family, colleagues, and friends – also said they saw improvements.
For people with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more prevalent. Increased depression was not reported by people over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But there are still a lot of people who need help and aren’t receiving it.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to use hearing aids affects mental health
It seems like it would be clear that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you think your hearing is fine. You think that people are mumbling.
Another issue could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s imperative that anybody who has experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking really quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing assessed. If there is hearing loss, we can talk over your options. That may be all you need to feel a whole lot better.