Hearing loss is a common condition that can be alleviated simply with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. For people with hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-isolation and depression.
And these feelings of depression and isolation can be enhanced by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which frequently come with hearing loss. The key to ending that downward spiral is getting treatment for 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. Adults older than 50 with untreated hearing loss often describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They were also more likely to steer clear of social activities. Many said that they felt like people were getting mad at them for no reason. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and others in their life also noticed the difference.
Another study revealed that individuals between ages 18 and 70, reported an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss didn’t show a major difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But that still means that a significant part of the population isn’t getting the help they require to improve their lives.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to wear hearing aids impacts mental health
It seems like it would be obvious that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you simply don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that people are mumbling.
Another issue could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s crucial to get a hearing test if you feel like you are being left out of conversations or are feeling anxiety or depression. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel a lot better.