Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of isolation in those who have hearing loss.
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 solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its connection to depression
We’ve been aware that hearing loss can lead to feelings of solitude and depression for a long time now. Adults older than 50 with neglected hearing loss often 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 angry at them and they weren’t sure why. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and others in their life also noticed the difference.
For individuals with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more prevalent. Increased depression wasn’t reported by individuals over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population is not getting the help they require to better their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to use hearing aids impacts 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 others are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you think treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s essential that anyone who has dealt with symptoms of depression or anxiety, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people appear to be talking too quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing checked. We can discuss your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel much better.