Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the common condition of hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. For individuals who suffered from hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-isolation and depression.
And these feelings of depression and separation can be increased by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which frequently come with hearing loss. This is a horrible cycle that can be prevented, 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 trend. One study of individuals with neglected hearing loss revealed that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to report symptoms of depression, along with indications of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to avoid 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 noticed the difference.
For people with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more common. People over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a big difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population isn’t getting the help they require to improve their lives.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to wear hearing aids impacts mental health
With reported results like these, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to treat your hearing loss. Maybe you just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that others are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too expensive 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 interactions because people appear to be talking too quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing tested. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel much better.