Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be alleviated easily by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. But hearing loss is frequently neglected and untreated. For people who suffered from hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-separation and depression.
It can also cause a breakdown in personal and work relationships, which itself will foster more feelings of depression and isolation. This is a vicious cycle that can be prevented, and treating your hearing loss is the solution to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and depression
We’ve known that hearing loss can cause 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. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting mad at them and they didn’t know why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and others in their life also noticed the difference.
Another study found that people between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. People over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a big difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But there are still a lot of people who need help and aren’t receiving it.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to use hearing aids impacts mental health
With reported results like those, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to get your hearing loss treated. Perhaps you simply don’t think your hearing is that bad. You may think people aren’t speaking clearly.
Another issue could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s essential that anybody who has dealt with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the sense that they are being left out of conversations because people appear 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 may be all you need to feel so much better.
