Hearing loss is a common affliction that can be mitigated easily by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. However, a lot of hearing loss goes undiagnosed and neglected – and that can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of solitude in those with hearing loss.
And it can quickly become a vicious circle where solitude and depression from hearing loss cause a breakdown in work and personal relationship resulting in even worse depression and solitude. Treating hearing loss is the key to stopping this unnecessary cycle.
Hearing Loss Has Been Connected to Depression by Numerous Studies
Researchers have found in several studies that untreated hearing loss is connected to the development of depressive symptoms – and this isn’t a new trend. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and paranoia were, as reported by one study, more likely to affect people over 50 who have neglected hearing loss. And it was also more likely that those people would retreat from social involvement. Many couldn’t understand why it seemed like people were getting angry with them. However, those who got hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, and the people in their lives – friends, co-workers, and family – also observed improvements.
Another study found that people between the ages of 18 and 70, revealed a greater feeling of depression if they suffered from hearing loss of more than 25 decibels. The only group that didn’t record an increased incidence of depression even with hearing loss was individuals over the age of 70. But all other demographics contain people who aren’t getting the help that they need for their hearing loss. Another study discovered that people who use hearing aids had a lower reported rate of depression symptoms than those subjects who suffered from hearing loss but who didn’t use hearing aids.
Mental Health is Affected by Resistance to Wearing Hearing Aids
It seems apparent that with these kinds of outcomes people would want to get assistance with their hearing loss. But people don’t get help for two main reasons. First, some people simply don’t recognize that their hearing is that impaired. They think that others are deliberately talking quietly or mumbling. Also, it’s relatively common for people to have no clue they have a hearing impairment. It seems, to them, that people don’t like talking with them.
If you are somebody who regularly feels like 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’s hearing loss, that person should talk about which hearing aid is best for them. You could possibly feel much better if you go to see a hearing specialist.