Do you have a parent, spouse or other loved one who seems increasingly more anxious, agitated or depressed? If so, it could be a sign of hearing loss.
Multiple studies have found a link between hearing loss and mental health issues in older adults:
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A 2019 study found one in five older adults with hearing loss experience symptoms of clinical depression.
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A 2018 study of adults aged 65 and older found that people with hearing loss experienced increased levels of anxiety as opposed to those with normal hearing.
The Connection Between Hearing Health and Mental Health
The brain and ears have always been closely intertwined. They work together to help us process sounds and connect to the world around us. When hearing becomes more difficult, our brain struggles to receive the stimulation it needs. This can change brain function and lead to an increase in mental health problems.
Perhaps most significantly, untreated hearing loss can make it harder to stay connected with others. When people struggle to understand what’s being said while out to dinner or during a family celebration, it can cause feelings of loneliness and frustration. Many people with hearing loss begin to withdraw and isolate themselves from others. This isolation can increase feelings of anxiety and depression and may even contribute to cognitive decline.
What Can Help
Beyond these negative impacts of untreated hearing loss, there are a great deal of positive outcomes associated with addressing hearing loss. Ever-changing technology has led to smaller and less visible hearing aids, resulting in decreased stigma associated with wearing hearing aids in day-to-day life. The newest hearing aids are more intelligent, automatically adapting as the wearer moves between various listening situations.
A survey of over 2,000 hearing aid users found that one third of wearers saw improvements in their romance, sense of humor, mental, emotional and physical health. Further, 40% noted improvements in their sense of safety, self-confidence, independence and work relationships. Today’s hearing devices are a tremendous asset to people with even mild hearing loss who want to remain active and socially engaged throughout their lives.
Reaching Out to Reconnect
Asking for help can be difficult. If your loved one is suffering from worsening mental health due to hearing loss, they may not even know it. Talk to them about your concerns and encourage them to reach out to Precision Hearing to schedule an appointment with a qualified audiologist.
Treating hearing loss with hearing aids can allow your loved one to move through the world with more ease, stay active in their communities and reconnect with the people they love the most.
For more information or to schedule a hearing evaluation, contact Precision Hearing at 352-765-8008 today.