Hearing loss is a problem that bleeds beyond daily life and can have a significant impact on emotional well-being. And it’s particularly important to recognize in light of the huge number of people that experience impaired hearing. Approximately 15% of Americans over the age of 18 reports some degree of hearing loss. That means more than 37 million people in our country not only navigate the day-to-day troubles of life with hearing loss, but their mental health and emotional state is also influenced by this health concern. While hearing loss is strongly linked with depression, new research sheds a light on a connection between improving depression symptoms by treating hearing loss with hearing aids.
Custom The link between hearing loss and depression
When we are unable to clearly communicate with other people, there is a tendency to incorporate isolating behavior patterns into our lives. It’s a natural human response to avoid something that causes us stress or confusion.
Instead of treating the problem, the reaction is to instead avoid it. Many people with hearing loss are unaware of their own condition or are perhaps embarrassed to be undergoing the absolutely natural aging process and do not seek a firm diagnosis. Because of this, those who struggle with hearing and thus communication sink further into isolation far away from the fundamental need for human connection. They may even internalize their inability to communicate easily and begin blaming themselves for not being competent. This common pattern is why people with untreated hearing loss often also report a lack of worthiness. The occurrence of depression in adults more than doubles when hearing loss is present.
Treating depression and hearing loss
This is why it is particularly important to seek support and guidance once there is a clear diagnosis of hearing loss. Now that the problem has been identified, people are able to take a realistic view of their hearing health and its impact on their emotional states. Support groups are a great way to share experiences and coping mechanisms that steer those who have difficulty communicating because of hearing loss back into a lifestyle that provides opportunities for connection and relationships. The Hearing Loss Association of America has resources to help you find a local support group in your area.
The link between treatment and improved depression
There is, however, a very clear correlation between treating hearing loss and easing depression symptoms, particularly among older adults. A study conducted at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and Drexel University found that after six months of treating hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants, depression symptoms decreased between 28 and 31 percent.
Even the isolating behaviors normally associated with hearing loss are mitigated when hearing devices are introduced. In a study conducted by the National Council on the Aging in conjunction with Market Strategies, Inc, respondents with more severe hearing loss using hearing aids were significantly more likely to participate in regular social activities than those who didn’t treat their hearing loss.
The subtlety of the modern hearing aid
Thankfully, treating hearing loss with modern devices looks a lot different than it did for our parents and grandparents. Whereas previous generations were clunky and sometimes inefficient, today’s models are sleek, smart and subtle. Speaking with us at Hear Care is the best way to find out which of the many options now available suits your unique life. The industry’s tech has even advanced to work seamlessly with everyday devices, so that adjusting hearing aid volume looks as benign as checking your text messages.
The importance of connection
And while so much of our emphasis is upon wireless connectivity, it is fundamental human connection that continues to be the driving force of emotional well-being and mental health. When hearing loss descends to complicate and confuse conversations and interactions with the world, our abilities to connect are disrupted.
The most effective way to counteract this is to treat hearing loss successfully so those socializing behaviors aren’t lost along with healthy hearing. Schedule a hearing test or a consultation with us at Hear Care today to make sure that hearing loss doesn’t knock you off the path of contentment.