Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be utilized to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is often neglected and untreated. For people who suffered from hearing loss, this can bring about feelings of social-isolation and depression.
And these feelings of depression and separation can be enhanced by the breakdown of professional and personal relationships which often accompany hearing loss. 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 depression
We’ve been aware that hearing loss can produce feelings of separation and depression for a long time now. Adults older than 50 with neglected hearing loss often report feelings of depression and anxiety, according to one study. They were also more likely to refrain from social activities. A lot of them felt like people were getting angry at them and they weren’t sure why. But when those individuals got hearing aids, they reported improvements in their social condition, and other people in their life also noticed 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 that still means that a significant part of the population is not getting the help they need to better their lives.
Lack of awareness or unwillingness to wear hearing aids impacts 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 think your hearing is fine. You think that 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 interactions or are feeling anxiety or depression. We can talk about your options if we do find hearing loss. That might be all that you need to feel so much better.