Hearing Aids can help lessen the negative effects of the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But a higher incident of depression and feelings of solitude happens when hearing loss goes untreated and undiscovered.
And it can quickly become a vicious circle where isolation and depression from hearing loss bring about a breakdown in personal and work relationship resulting in even worse depression and solitude. This is a problem that doesn’t have to happen, and getting that hearing loss treated is the best way to end the downward spiral.
Hearing Loss Has Been Connected to Depression by Numerous Studies
Symptoms of depression have been continuously linked, according to several studies, to hearing loss. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and paranoia were, according to one study, more likely to impact people over the age of 50 who have neglected hearing loss. They were also more likely to stay away from social experiences. Many couldn’t understand why it seemed like people were getting angry with them. However, relationships were improved for people who got hearing aids, who reported that friends, family, and co-workers all noticed the difference.
A different study discovered that individuals between the ages of 18 and 70, reported a greater sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. The only group that didn’t document an increased incidence of depression even with hearing loss was people 70 years old or older. But that still indicates that a significant part of the population is not getting the help they require to improve their lives. Another study revealed that hearing aid users had a lower reported rate of depression symptoms than those subjects who suffered from hearing loss but who did not use hearing aids.
ignorance or Unwillingness to Use Hearing Aids Affects Mental Health
It would seem obvious that with these kinds of outcomes people would want to seek out help with their hearing loss. However, two factors have prevented people from finding help. Some people believe that their hearing is functioning just fine when it actually isn’t. They assume that others are intentionally talking quietly or mumbling. The second factor is that some people might not realize they have a hearing loss. It seems, to them, that people don’t like talking with them.
If you are somebody who regularly thinks people are speaking quietly or mumbling and it’s causing you to feel anxiety or even depression, it’s time for a hearing test. If there is hearing loss, that person needs to talk about which hearing aid is best for them. Consulting a good hearing specialist might be all that is needed to feel a whole lot better.
