Your risk of developing hearing loss increases as you get older. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), “approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”
Left untreated, hearing loss can not only make it harder to process speech and sounds, but it can put you at a higher risk for additional health problems, including worsening your mental health.
Hearing Loss Linked to Depression in Seniors
Multiple studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can worsen mental health problems in seniors. Research published in April 2020 compared data from 35 previous studies of patients who were 60 years or older to look at the relationship between hearing loss and mental health. They found that older adults with some form of hearing loss were 47% more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression.
Four Ways Hearing Loss Can Worsen Mental Health
- Strains relationships. Hearing loss makes it harder to communicate with others. This can put a strain on existing relationships as well as make it harder to form new connections. Having strong social bonds is extremely beneficial to our mental health. Any fracture in those can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness.
- Increase worry. Hearing loss can increase stress levels in a variety of ways. You may start to worry that you’ll miss important information during a work meeting or have an embarrassing misunderstanding at a large social event, such as a celebration out with friends at The Barley Hound.
- Increased mental fatigue. When you struggle to hear, you have to put in more effort to understand what is happening around you. This can lead to more frequent bouts of mental fatigue, which can increase stress levels and anxiety.
- Reduced physical activity. Hearing loss can sometimes also affect your balance. Balance problems can leave you feeling disoriented and cause you to reduce your physical activity, which can increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Hearing Aids Can Help
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health when it comes to living a full and happy life. If you have signs of hearing loss, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. These are quick and painless exams that offer insight into the cause and severity of your hearing loss.
Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. You and your hearing specialist will work together to find out what style, fit and hearing aid technology best meet your individual needs. Using hearing aids can help keep you connected to others and allow you to continue to participate in the activities you love.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Prescott Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy today.