Did you know that hearing loss can contribute to depressive symptoms? Nearly 1 in 5 people live with hearing loss, a medical condition that affects over 48 million people. Hearing loss can have multifaceted effects on everyday life, health, and wellness. Impaired hearing reduces a person’s capacity to hear and process speech as well as sound. This takes a toll on hearing and communication which are essential ways we navigate daily life. Strained hearing can impact relationships, social life, work performance, and overall health. This includes by producing or worsening depressive symptoms.
Link Between Hearing Loss & Depressive Symptoms
Studies show that there is a link between hearing loss and depressive symptoms. A major study that investigates this correlation includes data from 18,318 people. Researchers collected and assessed data provided by a national health survey. This data includes results from hearing evaluations as well as responses from a questionnaire that assessed depressive symptoms. Researchers found that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression was
- 4.9% for individuals reporting excellent hearing
- 11.4% for people who reported a little to greater hearing loss
This data reveals that people with hearing loss were more than twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms. These findings support further research that highlight a link between hearing loss and depression.
Impact of Hearing Loss on Mental Health
Hearing loss can impact mental health in significant ways. The impact on wellness is often under-recognized which can make it harder to identify. But more studies are exploring how hearing loss not only impacts hearing but also daily life. This includes a recent study that is published by Clear Living, a healthcare and lifestyle platform. The study involved surveying 3,767 participants on their experience of hearing loss. Key findings include:
- 89% of participants cited social and personal issues as the greatest impact of hearing loss
- 58% of people said that their relationships suffered
- 39% of participants reported that their conversations declined or were harder to follow
- 30% found watching TV difficult while 35% struggled being out with friends in public places.
These findings highlight the ways in which hearing loss impacts important facets of life including relationships and engaging in everyday activities like watching TV. To cope with symptoms and these effects, it is common for people ith hearing loss to avoid conversations as much as possible. This often includes spending less time with loved ones, skipping out on social activities, and participating less in hobbies. Social withdrawal is a major symptom of hearing loss – one that not only impacts relationships but also mental health. This contributes to depressive symptoms, affecting happiness and healthiness.
Treating Hearing Loss
Fortunately, there are effective ways that hearing loss is treated. Treatment offers life changing benefits including alleviating depressive symptoms. Hearing aids are the most common treatment and studies show that this hearing solution significantly supports mental health and wellness. This includes a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology that examined how the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants impacted depressive symptoms in older adults.
The study included 113 participants, ages 50 and older who wore hearing aids or cochlear implants. Participants were assessed after wearing these devices for 6 months and then 1 year. Researchers found that among hearing aid users, depressive symptoms improved by:
- 28% after 6 months of wearing hearing aids
- depressive symptoms continued to decrease, by 16% at the 12 month mark
These findings show that hearing aids continued to alleviate depressive symptoms. Hearing aids are electronic devices that are designed to process speech and sound. This provides ample hearing support which not only strengthens hearing but also communication. People are better able to hear and communicate which enables you to fully participate in everyday life.
Treating hearing loss supports people living active lives that they can be fully present for. People are better able to navigate communication, social interactions, and activities. This enriches relationships adn social life, supporting mental health and wellness.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health Today
The first step towards treatment is simple: schedule an appointment for a hearing test. This involves a noninvasive process that measures your hearing capacity in both ears and identifies any hearing loss. Once your hearing needs are identified, treatment is tailored to meet those needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!