Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the common condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is frequently neglected and untreated. For people with hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-separation and depression.
It can also cause a breakdown in personal and work relationships, which itself contributes to more feelings of depression and solitude. The solution to ending that downward spiral is treating your hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its connection to depression
We’ve been aware that hearing loss can produce feelings of separation and depression for a long time now. One study of people with neglected hearing loss found that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to report symptoms of depression, along with indications of paranoia or anxiety. They also reported being less socially involved. A lot of them felt like people were getting mad at them and they weren’t sure why. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social situation, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
For people with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more common. Increased depression was not reported by individuals over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But there are still a lot of people who need assistance and aren’t receiving it.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness
It seems like it would be clear that you should treat your hearing loss when you read reports like this. Maybe 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 important to get a hearing assessment if you think that you are being left out of interactions or are feeling anxious or depressed. We can discuss your options if we do find hearing loss. It could help you feel a lot better.