Hearing Aids can help minimize the negative effects of the common condition of hearing loss. Still, a lot of hearing loss goes undiagnosed and untreated – and that can result in higher depression rates and feelings of isolation in people with hearing loss.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and work relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and isolation. Treating hearing loss is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Hearing Loss Has Been Linked to Depression by Numerous Studies
Symptoms of depression have been consistently linked, according to several studies, to hearing loss. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and paranoia were, based upon one study, more likely to impact people over the age of 50 who have neglected hearing loss. They were also more likely to refrain from social experiences. Many said that they felt as if people were getting frustrated with them for no reason. Still, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – friends, co-workers, and family – also noticed improvements.
A more intense sense of depression is encountered, as reported by a different study, by people who had a 25 decibel or more hearing impairment. The only group that didn’t record a higher occurrence of depression even with hearing loss was people over the age of 70. But that still indicates that a large part of the population is not getting the help they need to better their lives. A different study found that hearing aid users had a lower reported rate of depression symptoms than those individuals who suffered from hearing loss but who did not use hearing aids.
ignorance or Unwillingness to Use Hearing Aids Impacts Mental Health
It seems apparent that with these kinds of results people would want to get assistance with their hearing loss. However, two factors have prevented people from seeking help. Some people think that their hearing is functioning just fine when it actually isn’t. They assume that others are purposely speaking quietly or mumbling. Also, it’s quite common for people to be clueless about their hearing problem. To them, it seems as if others get tired of talking to them.
It’s imperative that anyone who has experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because they are talking too quietly or mumbling too much, get their hearing tested. If your hearing specialist detects hearing problems, hearing aid solutions should be talked about. You could possibly feel a lot better if you go to see a hearing specialist.