Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of solitude in those who have hearing loss.
And these feelings of depression and separation can be enhanced by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which often accompany hearing loss. The solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and depression
It’s true that neglected 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 signs of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to avoid social activities. Many said that they thought people were getting angry at them for no reason. However, people who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and those around them – family, co-workers, and friends – also said they saw improvements.
Another study revealed that individuals between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 Decibels. Individuals over the age of 70 with self-reported hearing loss didn’t 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 improve their lives.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
With reported results like those, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to get your hearing loss treated. Maybe you believe your hearing is fine. You might think people aren’t speaking clearly.
Another factor could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s imperative that anyone who has dealt with symptoms of depression or anxiety, or the feeling that they are being left out of conversations because people seem to be talking too quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing checked. We can discuss your options if we do find hearing loss. That might be all you need to feel a whole lot better.