Hearing Aids can help decrease the negative effects of the prevalent condition of hearing loss. Still, a lot of hearing loss goes undiscovered and untreated – and that can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of solitude in those who suffer from hearing loss.
And it can spiral into a vicious circle where isolation and depression from hearing loss cause a breakdown in work and personal relationship resulting in even worse depression and isolation. This is a difficulty that doesn’t have to happen, and managing your hearing loss is the key to ending the downward spiral.
Hearing Loss Has Been Connected to Depression by Countless Studies
Researchers have discovered in numerous studies that neglected hearing loss is connected to the advancement 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 individuals over the age of 50 who have neglected hearing loss. They were also more likely to refrain from social activities. Many stated that they felt as if people were getting angry at them for no reason. However, those who wore hearing aids noted improvements in their relationships, and the people around them – friends, co-workers, and family – also saw improvements.
Another study found that people between the ages of 18 and 70, reported a more acute sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 decibels. The only group that didn’t document a higher incidence of depression even with hearing loss was individuals over the age of 70. But all other demographics have individuals who aren’t getting the help that they need for their hearing loss. And individuals who participated in a different study reported that those participants who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids had a lower rate of depression.
Mental Health is Affected by Opposition to Wearing Hearing Aids
It seems apparent that with these kinds of outcomes people would want to seek out help with their hearing loss. But people don’t get help for two main reasons. One is that some simply don’t think their hearing is that bad. They assume that others are deliberately speaking quietly or mumbling. Also, it’s relatively common for people to be clueless about their hearing problem. It seems, to them, that people don’t like talking with them.
It’s essential that anybody who has experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, or the feeling that they are being excluded from interactions due to people talking too quietly or mumbling too much, have their hearing tested. If there is hearing loss, that person needs to discuss which hearing aid is best for them. You could possibly feel much better if you consult a hearing specialist.