New research has shown a strong link between hearing loss and mental health.
And there’s something else that both of these conditions have in common – they frequently go unacknowledged and untreated by patients and health professionals. Knowing there is a relationship could potentially enhance mental health for millions of people and provide hope as they look for solutions.
We know that hearing loss is common, but only a handful of studies have addressed its impact on mental health.
Out of all people who are diagnosed with hearing loss, studies show that over 11 percent of them also have clinical depression. Depression was only reported by 5 percent of the general population so this finding is noteworthy. Basic questionnaires were based on self-reporting of hearing loss and considered depression based on the severity and frequency of symptoms. They discovered depression was most prevalent in individuals between the ages of 18 and 69. Dr. Chuan-Ming Li, a scientist at NICDC and the author of this study, discovered “a substantial connection between profound depression and hearing loss”.
Your Risk of Depression Doubles With Untreated Hearing Loss
Age related hearing loss is extremely common in older people and, according to a study published by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the chance of depression goes up the worse the hearing loss is. Participants were evaluated for depression after taking an audiometric hearing examination. Once again, researchers found that individuals with even a little bit of hearing loss were almost two times as likely to have depression. Even more startling, mild hearing loss frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated by many people over 70 which has also been shown to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Obviously, there’s a connection between the two even though a strong cause and effect relationship hasn’t yet been demonstrated.
Hearing is essential to being active and communicating successfully. Embarrassment, anxiety, and potential loss of self-confidence can be the consequence of the social and professional blunders that come with hearing loss. Gradual withdrawal can be the outcome if these feelings are left unaddressed. Individuals withdraw from friends and family as well as from physical activity. This isolation, after a while, can result in depression and loneliness.
Hearing is About More Than Just Ears
Hearing loss is about more than the ears as is underscored by its relationship with depression. Hearing impacts your overall health, the brain, quality of life, and healthy aging. This emphasizes the crucial role of the hearing care professional within the scope of general healthcare. People with hearing loss often deal with fatigue, confusion, and frustration.
The good news: Getting professional care and testing at the soonest sign of a hearing issue helps counter this issue. Studies show that treating hearing loss early significantly decreases their risk. Routine hearing exams need to be recommended by physicians. Hearing loss isn’t the only thing that a hearing exam can uncover, after all. Care providers should also look for symptoms of depression in patients who might be dealing with either or both. Exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, irritability, and overall loss of interest and unhappiness are all symptoms.
Don’t suffer alone. If you believe you have hearing loss, call us to schedule a hearing assessment.
References
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/1835392
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2781095
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2682653
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