Hearing loss is a common condition that can be alleviated easily by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. For individuals who suffered from hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-isolation and depression.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and work 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 developing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new trend. Adults older than 50 with untreated hearing loss frequently report feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They were also more likely to avoid social activities. Many stated that they thought people were getting mad at them for no reason. However, individuals who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and those around them – family, co-workers, and friends – also stated that they saw improvements.
For individuals with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more common. People over 70 with self-reported hearing loss didn’t show a significant 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 require to better their lives.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
With reported results like these, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to treat your hearing loss. Perhaps you simply don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that people are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too expensive or time consuming.
It’s imperative that anybody who has dealt with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking too quietly or mumbling a lot, have their hearing tested. If there is hearing loss, we can discuss your options. That might be all that you need to feel so much better.