Prioritizing your hearing health benefits your overall health and well-being. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a variety of different health problems, including depression.
Research on Hearing Loss and Depression in Older Individuals 
Multiple studies have found a link between hearing loss and an increase in feelings of depression. One study published in 2019 found that hearing loss was significantly linked with depressive symptoms in adults 50 and older. The more severe the hearing loss, the more likely a person was to experience symptoms of depression.
Why Hearing Loss Can Worsen Mental Health
One of the biggest impacts of hearing loss is that it makes socializing and connecting with others more difficult. When you struggle to hear, it gets harder to carry on a conversation and increases the number of misunderstandings you can have. This can be frustrating not only for you but for those closest to you as well.
Social connections, whether it’s spending quality time with our family members or even having a brief chat about your day with the barista at Shift Coffee Bar, are important to our mental health and enhance our moods. When that gets taken away, you can begin to feel isolated and depressed.
Why Seniors Are at a Higher Risk
Seniors may be particularly vulnerable to depression in part because the risk of hearing loss increases with age. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly 25% of people aged 65 to 74 and half of those 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
Because hearing loss is so common among older adults, it’s essential that any problems be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Ways To Treat Hearing Loss
- Be on the lookout for early signs of hearing loss. If you notice that speech and sounds seem muffled or that you need to ask people to repeat themselves often, these are early signs of problems with your hearing.
- Schedule a hearing test. If you noticed these signs or a loved one has made comments on your hearing, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. These are easy, painless evaluations that can quickly determine the cause and severity of any hearing issues you may have.
- Wear hearing aids. Hearing aids and other assistive listening devices can make it easier for you to process sound, help you stay connected to those around you, and may help reduce your risk of depression and other health issues related to untreated hearing loss.
To schedule a hearing test or talk to one of our experts, call Gulf Coast Audiology today.