Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is frequently neglected and untreated. For individuals with hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-separation and depression.
And these feelings of depression and isolation can be increased by the breakdown of work and personal relationships which frequently accompany hearing loss. The solution to putting a stop to that downward spiral is getting treatment for 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. Adults older than 50 with neglected hearing loss often describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They were also more likely to avoid social activities. A lot of them felt like people were getting angry at them and they didn’t know why. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
Another study found that individuals between ages 18 and 70, reported an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 Decibels. Individuals over 70 with self-reported hearing loss didn’t show a significant difference in depression rates compared to individuals without hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population isn’t getting the help they require to improve their lives.
Mental health can be impacted by refusal to use hearing aids or to lack of awareness
It seems like it would be obvious that you should treat your hearing loss when you read reports like this. Maybe you believe your hearing is okay. You think that people are mumbling.
Another factor could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.
It’s vital that anybody who has dealt with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the sense that they are being left out of conversations because people appear to be talking really quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing assessed. If there is hearing loss, we can discuss your options. That might be all you need to feel a whole lot better.