Why Getting Your Hearing Checked Routinely Can Enhance Your Mood

Assistive listening devices and hearing aids can be used to treat the prevalent condition of hearing loss. But hearing loss is often neglected and untreated. This can lead to greater depression rates and feelings of solitude in those with hearing loss.

And these feelings of depression and separation can be enhanced by the breakdown of work and personal relationships which often come with hearing loss. This is a horrible cycle that can be avoided, 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. One study of people with untreated hearing loss revealed that adults 50 years old and older were more likely to report symptoms of depression, along with signs of paranoia or anxiety. They were also more likely to refrain from social activities. 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 condition, and others in their life also noticed the difference.

Another study found that individuals between ages 18 and 70, reported an increased sense of depression if they had hearing loss of more than 25 dB. Increased depression wasn’t reported by people over 70 who had self-reported hearing loss. But there are still a great many people who need help and aren’t getting it.

Mental health can be affected by refusal to wear hearing aids or to lack of awareness

It seems like it would be clear that you should get your hearing loss treated when you read reports like this. Maybe you simply don’t think your hearing is that bad. You might think people aren’t speaking clearly.

Another issue could be that you believe treating your hearing loss is too costly or time consuming.

It’s crucial to get a hearing exam if you feel like you are being left out of interactions or are feeling anxious or depressed. If there is hearing loss, we can talk over your options. That may be all that you need to feel so much better.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.