Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is frequently neglected and untreated. For individuals who suffered from hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-separation and depression.
And these feelings of depression and isolation can be increased by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which often accompany hearing loss. This is a vicious cycle that can be prevented, and treating your hearing loss is the solution to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and its connection to 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 describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They also reported being less socially involved. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting mad at them and they didn’t know why. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and others in their life also noticed 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 Decibels. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a significant 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 awareness or unwillingness to wear hearing aids affects mental health
With reported results like those, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want to treat your hearing loss. Perhaps you just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that people are mumbling.
You might just think it costs too much.
It’s essential that anyone who has experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety, or the sense that they are being left out of interactions because people seem to be talking too quietly or mumbling a lot, have their hearing checked. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That might be all you need to feel so much better.