Why Getting Your Hearing Tested Regularly Can Enhance Your Mood

Hearing loss is a common condition that can be alleviated easily by using hearing aids and assistive listening devices. But a greater occurrence of depression and feelings of isolation occurs when hearing loss goes untreated and undiagnosed.

And it can quickly become a vicious circle where solitude and depression from hearing loss cause a breakdown in personal and work relationship leading to even worse depression and solitude. This is a problem that doesn't need to take place, and managing your hearing loss is the key to ending the downward spiral.

Hearing Loss Has Been Linked to Depression by Many Studies

Symptoms of depression have been consistently linked, according to several studies, to hearing loss. One study of people with neglected hearing loss found that adults 50 years or older were more likely to report symptoms of depression, and signs of anxiety and paranoia. 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 mad at them. However, relationships were enhanced for those who wore hearing aids, who reported that friends, family, and co-workers all recognized the difference.

A more profound sense of depression is encountered, as reported by a different study, by individuals who had a 25 decibel or more hearing impairment. The only group that didn't report a higher incidence of depression even with hearing loss was individuals 70 years old or older. But all other demographics include people who aren't getting the help that they require for their hearing loss. And people who took part in another study reported that those participants who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids had a lower depression rate.

Mental Health is Impacted by Opposition to Using Hearing Aids

It seems apparent that with these kinds of results people would wish to seek out help with their hearing loss. However, two factors have prevented people from getting help. Some people think that their hearing is functioning just fine when it actually isn't. They have themselves convinced that others are mumbling or even that they are talking softly on purpose. The second factor is that some people might not recognize that they have a hearing loss. To them, it seems as if other people don't want to talk to them.

If you are somebody who frequently thinks people are talking quietly or mumbling and it's causing you to feel anxiety or even depression, it's time for a hearing exam. If your hearing specialist discovers hearing problems, hearing aid options should be talked about. You could possibly feel much better if you go to see a hearing specialist.