As we head into the post-holiday season and coldest months of the year, lots of us experience the “winter blues” — feeling down or depressed. But there could be another cause contributing to depression and other health problems: Hearing loss.
For many people with hearing loss, social situations can become frustrating and even embarrassing when it’s difficult to hear. You may have experienced this at holiday gatherings or in your day-to-day encounters with others.
Whether it is a family dinner in a noisy restaurant, a conversation in a room full of people, or a presentation from a soft-spoken person without a microphone, these situations can leave you feeling lost and left out.
You might find yourself thinking, “I won’t be able to hear anyway, so I may as well not go.” But this can be a slippery slope into social isolation and even mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Hearing-related health concerns
Depression symptoms include:
- Sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in things you usually enjoy
- Feelings of guilt or low self-worth
- Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
- Changes to your appetite
- Tiredness
- Poor concentration
In older adults, untreated hearing loss can also contribute to physical health problems like poor balance and dementia. In fact, a study from Johns Hopkins found that people with mild hearing loss doubled their risk of dementia, people with moderate hearing loss tripled their risk, and those with severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to have dementia.
Help with hearing loss is closer than you think
Sometimes, even mild to moderate hearing loss can impact daily life, but it happens gradually, so you may not notice it right away. And you’re not alone: Only about 20% of the people who could benefit from hearing aids or other assistive technology actually use them, and people wait on average 5 to 7 years after they first begin having issues before getting their hearing checked. But there are many new developments in hearing technology that make it easy to get help with managing your hearing loss.
The Mayo Clinic reports that treating hearing loss has significant benefits on a person’s quality of life and may even reduce the rate of cognitive decline for people who are at high risk. By keeping the auditory pathways in the brain active and helping people better understand conversations and communication, addressing hearing loss as soon as possible is key to a healthy lifestyle.
If you’ve been feeling like your hearing isn’t quite what it used to be, there’s no need to wait! An audiologist can get your hearing assessed and work together with you to come up with a plan to help you. Associated Audiologists has 15 doctoral-level audiologists across 8 different locations in Kansas and Missouri who are ready to help you hear your best and improve your quality of life.
If your hearing is good, but you’re still struggling with depression or anxiety, please know there are many ways to get help for that as well. You can:
- Make an appointment with your primary care provider to talk about your mental health and what treatment options might be available for you.
- See a counselor or therapist to talk about how you’re feeling and find solutions together.
- Ask for help from family or friends – they may not know you’re struggling unless you tell them.
- Call 988 – the free, confidential suicide and crisis prevention hotline – to speak with someone who can help you find local resources and support for mental health needs.
Improving your hearing often makes it easier to participate in the social activities you enjoy, which will help boost your mood and keep your mind and body active. If your favorite activities are attending Chiefs games or playing with power tools, however, don’t forget your hearing protection!
