Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the global population. While difficult communication is the most often discussed side effect of hearing loss, it can also significantly impact your mental health.
How Can Hearing Loss Affect Mental Health?
When hearing loss interferes with your ability to interact with others, it can leave you feeling isolated or lonely. Over time, the disconnection can negatively impact your mental health. A few mental health side effects include:
- Feelings of shame and inadequacy. It’s easy to feel a sense of shame and inadequacy when you struggle to do something that used to come easily, like hearing. Although there’s no shame in hearing loss, that doesn’t always stop these feelings from arising.
- Increased risk of depression. One study examining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2018) found an association between moderate to severe hearing loss and depression. The study further emphasized a need to integrate hearing health as part of a holistic approach to treating depression.
- Greater exhaustion. Struggling to follow conversations due to hearing loss can be mentally exhausting, often leading to reduced social interaction. Over time, this isolation can intensify feelings of depression and anxiety, creating a cycle that further impacts mental well-being.
Can Hearing Aids Help Improve Mental Health?
One 2024 study using data from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), including 17,660 participants with hearing loss, found that hearing aid use was associated with significantly lower likelihood of moderate and severe depression compared to non-use.
While hearing aids are not a direct treatment for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. If you’re experiencing symptoms of either, it’s essential to seek support from a qualified mental health professional. However, hearing aids can play an important role in addressing some of the underlying factors that may contribute to poor mental health:
- Reduce feelings of shame or inadequacy. Hearing aids help amplify speech and environmental sounds, making communication easier and reducing the emotional toll that often comes from feeling left out or misunderstood.
- Lessen mental fatigue. By easing the effort it takes to follow conversations, hearing aids reduce cognitive load, which can help you feel less mentally drained.
- Encourage social connection. Improved hearing can make social interactions more enjoyable and less exhausting. When a night out at Jacob’s Pub shifts from a tiring effort to keep up with conversations to a fun evening spent with friends, you’re more likely to participate, reducing feelings of isolation and encouraging stronger social engagement.
If you’re dealing with untreated hearing loss, contact Hearing Healthcare Center, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.