Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is often neglected and untreated. This can result in greater depression rates and feelings of separation in those who have hearing loss.
And these feelings of depression and isolation can be enhanced by the breakdown of work and personal relationships which often come with hearing loss. The solution to ending that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and depression
We’ve known that hearing loss can cause feelings of solitude and depression for a long time now. One study of people with untreated hearing loss revealed that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to describe symptoms of depression, along with indications of paranoia or anxiety. They also reported being less socially active. A lot of them felt like people were getting mad at them and they weren’t sure why. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – family, colleagues, and friends – also said they noticed improvements.
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. Increased depression wasn’t reported by people over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But there are still a lot of people who need assistance and aren’t getting it.
Mental health can be affected by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
It seems like it would be clear that you should treat your hearing loss when you read reports like this. Perhaps 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 important to get a hearing assessment if you feel like you are being left out of interactions or are feeling anxiety or depression. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That may be all that you need to feel a whole lot better.