Hearing Aids can help lessen the negative consequence of the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But a higher occurrence of depression and feelings of isolation occurs when hearing loss goes untreated and undiscovered.
And it can quickly become a vicious circle where isolation and depression from hearing loss bring about a breakdown in personal and work relationship resulting in even worse depression and isolation. Getting hearing loss treated is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Studies Link Hearing Loss to Depression
Symptoms of depression have been consistently connected, according to countless studies, to hearing loss. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and paranoia were, as reported by one study, more likely to affect individuals over 50 who have untreated hearing loss. And it was also more likely that that group would withdraw from social involvement. Many couldn’t understand why it seemed like people were getting mad at them. However, relationships were improved for people who wore hearing aids, who stated that friends, family, and co-workers all recognized the difference.
A more intense sense of depression is experienced, as documented by a different study, by individuals who suffered from a 25 decibel or higher hearing impairment. People over 70 with a self-diagnosed hearing loss did not demonstrate a significant contrast in depression rates in comparison to individuals without hearing loss. But all other demographics contain individuals who aren’t receiving the help that they need for their hearing loss. A different study found that people who use hearing aids had a lower reported rate of depression symptoms than those subjects who suffered from hearing loss but who didn’t use hearing aids.
ignorance or Unwillingness to Wear Hearing Aids Affects Mental Health
With reported benefits like those, you might think that people would want to deal with their hearing loss. However, two factors have stopped people from getting help. Some people think that their hearing is functioning just fine when it actually isn’t. They have themselves convinced that people are mumbling or even that they are talking softly on purpose. Also, it’s relatively common for people to have no clue they have a hearing problem. It seems, to them, that people don’t like to talk to them.
It’s essential that anyone who has experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety, or the feeling that they are being excluded from interactions due to people talking too quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing tested. If your hearing specialist finds hearing problems, hearing aid options should be discussed. Seeing a good hearing specialist may be all that is needed to feel much better.
