Hearing Aids can help minimize the negative consequence of the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But a higher occurrence of depression and feelings of isolation occurs when hearing loss goes untreated and undiscovered.
It can also result in a strain in work and personal relationships, which itself adds to more feelings of isolation and depression. Getting hearing loss treated is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Hearing Loss Has Been Connected to Depression by Many Studies
Researchers have found in numerous studies that untreated hearing loss is linked to the advancement of depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new trend. One study of individuals who suffer from untreated hearing loss discovered that adults 50 years or older were more likely to document symptoms of depression, along with signs of anxiety and paranoia. They were also more likely to avoid social experiences. Many couldn’t understand why it seemed like people were getting angry with them. Still, those who wore hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people in their lives – family, co-workers, and friends – also noticed improvements.
A more intense sense of depression is experienced, as reported by a different study, by individuals who had a 25 decibel or more hearing impairment. Individuals over 70 with a self-reported hearing loss didn’t demonstrate a major difference in depression rates in comparison to individuals who didn’t suffer from hearing loss. But all other demographics have people who aren’t receiving the help that they require for their hearing loss. And individuals who participated in a different study revealed that those participants who managed their hearing loss using hearing aids had a lower depression rate.
ignorance or Unwillingness to Wear Hearing Aids Impacts Mental Health
It seems apparent that with these kinds of results people would wish to seek out assistance with their hearing loss. But people don’t find help for two principal reasons. First, some people simply don’t recognize that their hearing is that bad. They assume that others are deliberately talking quietly or mumbling. Also, it’s relatively common for people to be clueless about their hearing impairment. To them, it seems as if others don’t want to talk to them.
If you are someone who regularly thinks people are talking quietly or mumbling and it’s causing you to feel anxiety or even depression, it’s time for a hearing test. If your hearing specialist discovers hearing problems, hearing aid solutions should be discussed. Consulting a good hearing specialist might be all that is needed to feel much better.