Hearing loss and depression seem to go hand in hand – when individuals have trouble hearing, communication becomes difficult, and loneliness, despair, and social isolation can swiftly follow.
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Link Between Hearing Loss and Depression
People, as social beings, require interaction with others in order to feel happy and fulfilled. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to live a full and meaningful life in solitude. The companionship of friends and family is essential for most persons with hearing loss to keep their spirits up and their lives going ahead.
Hearing loss, on the other hand, has a bad way of driving people to withdraw. Because they can’t understand what’s being said, they don’t experience the same pleasure from social relationships.
They also find it more difficult to advance in their employment, they are unable to interact effectively with others around them – jeopardizing their ability to grow in the workplace.
Hearing loss and depression have been linked for years, according to studies. They discovered that those who are hard of hearing are considerably more prone to acquire depressed symptoms.
Link Between Hearing Loss and Depression: Origins
The relationship’s origins, on the other hand, are a little more complicated. Part of it has to do with the hearing loss itself, and part of it has to do with the consequences of not being able to hear what’s going on around you. Hearing loss, for example, makes it difficult for people to participate in discussions with others. Their brains must work significantly harder to absorb the incoming noises, resulting in exhaustion and a desire to escape. They’re always questioning whether they’ve correctly interpreted queries or comprehended a difficulty – and they frequently have no idea whether they have or not.
Some persons with hearing loss persevere despite their impairment, urging the other person to speak louder or to repeat themselves. However, most people find this method tiresome. The more comfortable alternative for many is unfortunately to withdraw from the discourse.
Sleep Disturbances, Rage, and Irritability
People with hearing loss are more than twice as likely as the general population to experience depressive symptoms, according to studies conducted by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Furthermore, younger persons with hearing loss appeared to be more affected than those over the age of 69.
Hearing loss can cause depression in a variety of ways. People who are hard of hearing, for example, find it more difficult to advance in their employment. They are unable to interact effectively with others around them, jeopardizing their ability to grow in the workplace.
Signs of depression include sleep disturbances, impatience or hostility, and difficulty concentrating at work. It’s possible that this depression is caused by or exacerbated by hearing loss. That is, curing one ailment – hearing loss might have a good impact on mental health.
What Can You Do If You’re Suffering From Hearing Loss And Depression?
The good news is that you won’t have to live with hearing loss or the accompanying depression. You have the power to make a difference!
The first step is to determine the cause of your hearing loss. This will help you determine the sort of treatment you require. If your hearing loss is temporary, such as from impacted earwax, you can visit a professional to get it removed. If your hearing loss is persistent, you may benefit from treatments, and the options are:
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are one of the most prevalent therapy options. They can also improve people’s social, emotional, and psychological quality of life. Hearing aids have various health benefits in addition to improved hearing.
Bone-anchored hearing aids or cochlear implants may be indicated for those with severe hearing loss or conductive hearing loss.
Auditory Training
Audiologists and hearing equipment specialists can help people suffering from hearing loss to set realistic expectations for how their hearing will improve and prescribe effective listening strategies.
Hearing experts also assist in educating people about how different listening contexts affect communication and how to minimize or overcome them.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD’s)
These devices are useful for watching television or going to the cinema.
These are usually headset-style devices that receive the desired signal wirelessly via a variety of means (FM, infrared, induction loop, Bluetooth, etc.) so you may connect to other devices (speakers, phones, and so on).
Therapy
Seeking therapy in addition to hearing aid treatments may be beneficial.
Hearing loss has a psychological impact that many people are unaware of, but after a few weeks of getting used to wearing hearing aids, patients often wish they had been equipped for them sooner!
Sources
- https://omahaent.com/blog/how-does-hearing-loss-lead-to-depression-
- https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52437-The-complex-link-between-depression-and-hearing-loss
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