Hearing loss is a common condition that can be alleviated simply by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Unfortunately, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This can result in greater depression rates and feelings of separation in those who have hearing loss.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and professional relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and isolation. This is a horrible cycle that can be avoided, 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 solitude and depression for a long time now. Adults older than 50 with untreated hearing loss frequently report feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They also reported being less socially involved. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting angry at them and they weren’t sure why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and others in their life also noted 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. Increased depression was not reported by individuals over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a significant part of the population isn’t getting the help they require to improve their lives.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
With reported results like those, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to treat your hearing loss. Maybe you think your hearing is okay. You think that people are mumbling.
You may just think it’s too costly.
It’s important to get a hearing exam if you think that you are being left out of conversations or are feeling anxious or depressed. If there is hearing loss, we can talk over your options. It could help you feel a lot better.