Hearing loss is a common condition that can be mitigated easily by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of separation in those who have hearing loss.
And these feelings of depression and separation can be enhanced by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which frequently accompany hearing loss. The solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its connection to depression
It’s true that untreated hearing loss is connected to developing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. One study of people with neglected hearing loss revealed that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to describe symptoms of depression, along with signs of paranoia or anxiety. They also reported being less socially active. Many said that they thought people were getting angry at them for no reason. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
For individuals with hearing loss of more than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more common. Increased depression wasn’t reported by people over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population isn’t getting the help they need to improve their lives.
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 get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Perhaps you just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that others are mumbling.
Another issue could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s essential that anyone who has experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the sense that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking really quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing checked. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel a lot better.