Hearing loss is a prevalent problem that can be alleviated easily with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. But a higher occurrence of depression and feelings of isolation occurs when hearing loss goes untreated and undiscovered.
It can also lead to a strain in work and personal relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and isolation. Treating hearing loss is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Hearing Loss Has Been Connected to Depression by Numerous Studies
Symptoms of depression have been continuously connected, according to countless studies, to hearing loss. One study of people with untreated hearing loss discovered that adults 50 years or older were more likely to document symptoms of depression, and signs of paranoia or anxiety. And it was also more likely that that group would retreat from social engagement. Many couldn’t comprehend why it seemed like people were getting angry with them. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – friends, co-workers, and family – also noticed improvements.
Another study discovered that people between the ages of 18 and 70, reported a greater feeling of depression if they had hearing loss of greater than 25 dB. The only group that didn’t report an increased incidence of depression even with hearing loss was people over the age of 70. But that still indicates that a significant part of the population is not getting the help they need to better their lives. And people who took part in a different study revealed that those people who treated their hearing loss using hearing aids had a lower rate of depression.
Mental Health is Impacted by Resistance to Using Hearing Aids
With documented outcomes like those, you would think that people would wish to deal with their hearing loss. But people don’t seek out help for two principal reasons. First, some people simply don’t think their hearing is that impaired. They assume that people are intentionally talking quietly or mumbling. Also, it’s relatively common for people to be clueless about their hearing problem. It seems, to them, that people don’t like to talk to them.
It’s imperative that anybody who has experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because they are speaking too quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing examined. If there’s hearing loss, that person needs to discuss which hearing aid is best for them. You could possibly feel a lot better if you go to see a hearing specialist.