Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing loss frequently 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 contributes to more feelings of depression and isolation. This is a horrible cycle that can be prevented, and treating your hearing loss is the key to ending that downward spiral.
Hearing loss and its connection to depression
We’ve known that hearing loss can cause feelings of separation and depression for a long time now. 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 active. A lot of them had the feeling that people were getting angry at them and they weren’t sure why. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and those around them – family, colleagues, and friends – also stated that they saw improvements.
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 Decibels. Increased depression was not reported by people over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But that still means that a large part of the population isn’t getting the help they need to better their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to wear hearing aids affects mental health
It seems as if it would be obvious that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you just don’t think your hearing is that bad. You may think people are mumbling.
Another issue could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too expensive or time consuming.
It’s essential that anyone who has experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression, or the feeling that they are being left out of interactions because people seem to be talking too quietly or mumbling a lot, get their hearing assessed. If there is hearing loss, we can talk over your options. It could help you feel much better.
