Hearing loss is a prevalent condition that can be mitigated simply with the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, hearing loss often goes undiagnosed and unaddressed. For people who suffered from hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-separation and depression.
It can also cause a breakdown in personal and professional relationships, which itself will foster more feelings of depression and solitude. The solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and depression
We’ve been aware that hearing loss can cause feelings of solitude and depression for a long time now. One study of individuals with neglected hearing loss revealed that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to report symptoms of depression, along with signs of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to steer clear of social activities. Many stated that they thought people were getting angry at them for no reason. But when those people got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and others in their life also noticed the difference.
Another study found that people between ages 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss did not show a big difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population is not getting the help they need to better their lives.
Mental health can be affected by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
It seems like it would be clear that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Perhaps you simply don’t think your hearing is that bad. You think that others are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s imperative that anyone who has dealt with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the sense that they are being left out of interactions because people seem to be talking too quietly or mumbling too much, get their hearing tested. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That might be all that you need to feel so much better.
