Even if you have an active, healthy lifestyle, you could experience hearing loss and certain cognitive concerns as you get older. And scientists have discovered a strong connection between the two that shouldn’t be dismissed and it will help if you don’t turn that hearing aid off.
Individuals with untreated hearing loss are twice as likely to cope with depression. Compared to people who use a hearing aid, frequent feelings of sadness were reported 27% more in people who have neglected hearing loss.
They were also 24% more likely to stop doing things they used to love and 39% more likely to feel like people are angry with them for no reason.
There’s an even more troubling statistic you should be aware of, though you won’t really like it. Keep that hearing aid turned on!
Our beliefs about hearing loss will be totally transformed by this study
Age-related hearing loss has been considered a harmless affliction for centuries. It was thought that the other senses would merely compensate. People would just go on with their lives trying to live safely, healthily, and happily. Hearing loss wasn’t believed to have any health affects beyond the hearing impairment.
Now we know better. This study presents just one of the larger effects that hearing loss has on a person’s overall health.
As a society, we will need to reconsider hearing loss based on this well-structured and significant study.
How the study was conducted
Over 2000 people 50 or older were surveyed in this research conducted by committed researchers at the National Institute for Aging (NCOA). People with neglected hearing loss and people who used hearing aids were among the participants. Clinically pertinent questions were asked to determine the levels of the following:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Isolation
- Depression
More than 2000 family members of the participants were also included in this ground-breaking study. What they documented helped to give the participant’s comments validity. When we discuss hearing loss, this study, with the extra verification, becomes even more pertinent.
How health and quality of life are impacted by depression
According to the American Psychological Association, those suffering from depression are more likely to develop eating disorders that can lead to severe obesity or significant weight loss. Memory loss and insomnia are also more common in those with neglected hearing loss.
While driving, cooking, and other activities, their reduced reaction time can result in severe injury. Healing is slower in individuals who cope with depression and that can lead to longer hospital stays.
Depression can increase fall risk in older adults.
Depression progresses as hearing loss progresses. The person usually becomes more and more isolated, lonely, and unable to care for him or herself.
Now, let’s take a look at a really sad statistic.
Usage rates of hearing aids
Only around 25% of those who would benefit from hearing aids actually use them. That’s right. For many, this increased rate of depression and all of its adverse impacts are completely unnecessary and avoidable, yet they are not taking measures to stop it.
Why do so many people neglect using a hearing aid?
Many individuals who don’t use a hearing aid actually do own one. They think it makes them look old so they just neglect using it. It makes them embarrassed.
A hearing aid update would be beneficial for these people. Present day hearing aids can sync to your smart devices, work better, and are more subtle. This makes them feel more like an extension of your smart technology and less like a hearing aid.
A smaller but considerable number of individuals say they can’t afford one. States and insurance companies are now recognizing the link between untreated hearing loss and general health. Hearing aids are, due to this, becoming more available and affordable. In addition, individuals who object to the cost of hearing aids also don’t understand how much-untreated hearing loss can cost them in the long run. They’re unaware of how hearing loss will affect their health and quality of life. Neglected hearing loss can increase your total healthcare costs by as much as 40% in only a few years.
What can you do to reduce hearing-related depression symptoms?
Wear your hearing aid with pride. Help fight the stigma people feel about using a hearing aid by showing them how much better you feel when you can hear.
Optimize your hearing in every situation with your modern hearing aid by taking some time to learn the advanced features. If you’re only turning the volume up and down, you’re not getting the most from your hearing aid. Get a consultation with us so you can demo these upgraded hearing aids.
If you feel like you’re not getting the most out of your hearing aid and are tempted to leave it off, talk to us today about how to use your hearing aid more successfully.
References
https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-older-adults-need-to-know-about-hearing-loss