Depression and Hearing Loss: Is There a Connection?
Untreated hearing loss can affect your overall health and well-being, but did you know that it can affect your mental health as well? You may not realize it, but your hearing plays an important role in how your brain functions.
In the U.S., it is estimated that 37 million adults have some degree of hearing loss, while 22 million suffer some form of depression.
What’s the Connection?
Your ears can be a “window to your mind” and hearing loss may increase depression risk. When left untreated, hearing loss makes it difficult to not only hear sounds, but to comprehend and process sounds to information. Because we hear with our brain, not our ears, untreated hearing loss can have a negative impact on your brain’s ability to remain active and healthy. Without the proper stimulation the brain receives from sound signals, you can be left feeling forgetful or have a hard time retaining new information.
When you don’t manage your hearing loss with hearing aids, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with the conversation because you can’t hear what is being said. This can lead to embarrassment or feeling ashamed because you have to ask people to repeat themselves or you may respond inappropriately. After time, you may withdraw from social interactions altogether.
Individuals with untreated hearing loss have reported feeling sadder than those who manage their hearing loss with hearing aids. If you avoid social interactions or seeing your friends and family that can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.
What You Can Do
Try following these achievable lifestyle goals to reduce the extent at which hearing loss increases the risk of depression:
- Ensure best corrected hearing and vision abilities
- Consistently engage in social activities
- Effectively handle activities of daily living
- Enjoy mentally stimulating hobbies
If you have hearing loss don’t let it affect your mental health and well-being. Visit a certified hearing specialist. They can diagnose the exact degree and type of hearing loss you have and help you find a hearing aid that will allow you to hear again.