Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be mitigated easily with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Unfortunately, hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. For individuals 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. This is a vicious cycle that can be avoided, and treating your hearing loss is the key to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and depression
It’s true that neglected hearing loss is linked to developing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. One study of people with neglected hearing loss found that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to describe symptoms of depression, along with indications of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to steer clear of social activities. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting angry at them and they didn’t know why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and others in their life also noted the difference.
For individuals 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 that still means that a significant part of the population isn’t getting the help they require to better their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to use hearing aids impacts mental health
With reported results like these, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to get your hearing loss treated. Maybe you think your hearing is okay. You think that people are mumbling.
You might just think it costs too much.
It’s important to get a hearing test if you feel like you are being left out of conversations or are feeling anxiety or depression. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That may be all you need to feel so much better.