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 with hearing loss, this can trigger feelings of social-isolation and depression.
It can also lead to a breakdown in personal and professional relationships, which itself will foster more feelings of depression and solitude. 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
It’s true that untreated hearing loss is linked to experiencing depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new phenomenon. Adults older than 50 with neglected hearing loss frequently describe feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They also reported being less socially involved. 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 situation, and other people in their life also noted the difference.
For individuals with hearing loss of higher than 25 decibels, who were between 18 and 70 years old, depression was more common. People over 70 with self-reported hearing loss didn’t show a big difference in depression rates compared to people without hearing loss. But there are still a great many people who need help and aren’t getting it.
Lack of recognition or unwillingness to use hearing aids affects mental health
It seems as if it would be clear that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you think your hearing is okay. You might think people are mumbling.
You may just think it costs too much.
It’s crucial to get a hearing exam if you think that you are being left out of conversations or are feeling anxiety or depression. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That may be all you need to feel a whole lot better.