Humans are social beings, therefore communication with other people is vital for us. Otherwise, a person may experience both physiological and psychological health problems. Protecting your hearing means protecting your health in general.
Do you have mood swings? Have you started not getting enough sleep? Are you more and more annoyed by colleagues at work or loved ones? In this case, you have the first signs of an incipient psychological disorder, which can lead to serious consequences, including depression. You will be surprised, but hearing loss can be the cause of these problems!
What is the relation between depression and hearing loss?
Hearing loss is not only a medical problem but also a psychological and social problem. It directly affects both mental health and quality of life.
A growing body of evidence suggests that hearing loss, especially in old age, accelerates the decline in cognitive skills (problems with spatial orientation, mental activity, speech, reasoning ability, etc.). The study showed that in older people with hearing loss, the decline in cognitive functions was 41% stronger than in their healthy peers.
Why is this happening?
In the presence of hearing loss, weakened and/or distorted sound signals enter the brain, which requires much more effort from it to process them correctly. Thus, the resources of the brain are redistributed, due to which other functions suffer.
What else do people with hearing loss face? They lose the ability to communicate normally with people. If communication with colleagues only harms the workflow, the inability to hear a loved one is much more serious. Over time, psychosocial aspects of hearing loss appear and develop. A person is less and less in contact with other people, stops visiting public places, begins to feel lonely. A sense of isolation gradually develops. A person may experience apathy, unwillingness to do anything. Loss of interest in life and hobbies may occur. Unfortunately, without proper treatment, these symptoms will progress, developing new psycho-emotional problems.
Untreated hearing loss leads to serious consequences, which negatively affect all aspects of human life and cause irreversible personality changes. They include:
Increased psychological fatigue
Troubles with attention and focus
Deterioration of mental health
You can avoid all of this if you recognize the problem and ask for help in time!
What do scientists say?
Audiology Island experience shows that depression and hearing loss often accompany each other. Moreover, the development of psychological problems directly depends on the type of hearing loss. This is confirmed by numerous scientific studies.
For example, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010 found that about 11.4% of people with severe hearing loss also complain of depression. While among healthy people, no more than 5% face this problem. The difference is quite tangible, isn’t it?
Recent findings indicate that of the groups studied, women of all ages and adults age 18 to 69 with hearing loss are more likely to experience “significant depression” than hearing loss sufferers over 70.
Severe hearing impairment can also trigger panic attacks, increasing the likelihood of panic attacks by 32%! The elderly are at particular risk. After all, they are more prone to social isolation. Thus, according to a 2019 study, one in five older Americans with hearing loss experience symptoms of depression.
Does hearing loss increase the risk of mental problems?
To be sure, there is ample evidence to link hearing loss to mental health problems. On the one hand, hearing loss can be seen as an early symptom of cognitive brain problems, rather than a cause. On the other hand, the difficulties in communication significantly limit social integration, which can lead to depression. In the end, both problems can be caused by some other cause.
Scientific research has linked hearing loss with an overall decline in physical health. This deterioration is not a direct consequence of hearing loss but is caused by side effects, including depression.
How to avoid the development of depression and hearing loss?
As you know, any disorder is easier to treat in the early stages of its development. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your health and immediately seek help at the first sign of discomfort.
What are the first signs of hearing loss?
Poor speech perception, especially in noisy places
The disappearance of background noise
Noise in ears
Constant fatigue and emotional overwork
If you notice at least one or more of the above symptoms, then you should immediately seek help.
First, you will undergo a full diagnostic hearing evaluation to make a correct diagnosis. The audiologist will then prescribe treatment for hearing loss. The course of treatment is individual. Most often, it includes the use of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, auditory training, and therapy.
Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro pays special attention to modern hearing aids. These devices take over a significant part of the processing of sound signals, thereby relieving the brain and facilitating sound perception. This reduces the overall cognitive load and conserves sufficient resources for other functions. The benefits of these little devices are really impressive:
They make it possible to hear external sounds and speech
Improve communication skills
Remove feelings of social isolation
Improve mood and eliminate manifestations of depression
Reduce mental fatigue
Improves memory and concentration
After eliminating one of the causes of depression (hearing loss), you should pay attention to the quality of life in general. The modern world is full of opportunities: entertainment, online and offline courses and training, self-development, and various communities of interest. There are many options to feel the taste for life again!
Depression caused by hearing loss is very common among Americans. However, you can reduce the likelihood of its development. First of all, if you suspect hearing loss, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Research shows that those who start treatment on time significantly reduce their risk of depression. After hearing aid fitting, a well-planned adjustment period is necessary. The correct audiological aural rehabilitation program will help you gradually adjust to new sounds.
Although there is a link between depression and hearing loss, this does not mean that you may develop psychological problems. However, this issue should be taken seriously.
If you or a loved one is experiencing psychological problems, then a simple hearing test can help tremendously. Surveys show that many people report significant improvements in their quality of life after using their hearing aids. Conversely, if you have hearing loss, depression screening, and referral for treatment can significantly improve the quality of life and communication with loved ones.
About Dr Zhanneta Shapiro
Dr Zhanneta Shapiro received her Masters of Science from Brooklyn College in 2005 and completed her Doctorate of Audiology from Florida University in May 2008. Her graduate training was in various hospitals in the tri-state area and a residency period completed at Ear Nose and Throat Associates of New York. [ Learn More ]