Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is frequently ignored and untreated. This can result in greater depression rates and feelings of isolation in those 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. The solution to ending that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its link to depression
It’s true that untreated hearing loss is connected to experiencing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. Adults older than 50 with neglected hearing loss frequently describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. 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. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
Another study revealed that people between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a major difference in depression rates compared to individuals without hearing loss. But that still means that a significant part of the population isn’t getting the help they need to better their lives.
Mental health can be affected by refusal to use 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.
You may just think it costs too much.
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 seem to be talking too quietly or mumbling too much, get their hearing tested. If there is hearing loss, we can talk over your options. It could help you feel a lot better.