Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be alleviated easily with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and unaddressed. For people with hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-isolation and depression.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and work relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and solitude. The solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its connection to depression
We’ve been aware that hearing loss can lead to feelings of separation and depression for a long time now. Adults older than 50 with untreated hearing loss frequently report feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They also reported being less socially active. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting mad at them and they weren’t sure why. However, those 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 an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Increased depression wasn’t reported by individuals over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a significant part of the population is not getting the help they need to improve their lives.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to use hearing aids impacts 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 just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that people are mumbling.
You might just think it costs too much.
It’s essential that anybody who has experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking too quietly or mumbling too much, get their hearing tested. If there is hearing loss, we can talk about your options. That may be all you need to feel a whole lot better.
