Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is often ignored and untreated. For individuals with hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-separation and depression.
It can also cause a breakdown in personal and professional relationships, which itself will foster more feelings of depression and solitude. This is a horrible cycle that can be prevented, and treating your hearing loss is the key to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and depression
It’s true that neglected hearing loss is linked to experiencing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new trend. 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 involved. A lot of them felt like people were getting angry at them and they didn’t know why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
Another study found that people between ages 18 and 70, reported an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 Decibels. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a major difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population isn’t getting the help they need to improve their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to use hearing aids affects mental health
It seems as if it would be clear that you should treat your hearing loss when you read reports like this. Maybe you think your hearing is fine. You think that people are mumbling.
You may just think it’s too costly.
It’s crucial to get a hearing exam if you feel like you are being left out of interactions or are feeling anxiety or depression. If there is hearing loss, we can discuss your options. That might be all that you need to feel a whole lot better.