The Mental Health Implications of Hearing Loss
There are many ways in which hearing loss can impact us and prevent us from living a fulfilled life. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you get treatment. However, for people who avoid getting the treatment they need, hearing loss can be devastating. And one of the ways in which it impacts us is via the toll it takes on our mental health. Here are some examples of how that might occur.
What is Hearing Loss?
First of all, we need to define hearing loss and what it really means. It can take many forms and there are many levels of severity, which will dictate the treatment that’s used. It simply means that the frequencies of sound we’re capable of hearing are in decline, making noticing some sounds more difficult. As a result, simple day to day things we previously took for granted can be impacted.
Depression
Depression is one of the problems that’s associated with untreated hearing loss. Not being able to hear correctly and feeling withdrawn in many different aspects of your life can be very damaging and feeling depressed is, sadly, not uncommon for people. Treating the problem is necessary and seeking additional help for depression is always important too. There’s help out there if you’re willing to look for it.
Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline is also common among elderly people who are suffering hearing loss. Studies have shown that people who experience hearing loss tend to experience faster rates of cognitive decline in older age than those that don’t. Hearing aids can treat this and hearing aid issues should always be kept on top of as well. Using a hearing aid is only a good idea if it’s being used in the right way and is calibrated correctly.
Social Isolation
Social isolation is one of the things that many people tend to experience when their hearing declines. You start to get withdrawn when you can’t take part in conversations because you don’t know what people around you are saying. Being isolated from those around you is devastated and takes its toll on your mental health and your confidence in social situations.
Frustration and Stress
When you can’t do things that you used to do, it can create feelings of real frustration and often stress as well. None of us want to feel like our abilities to complete basic daily tasks are being curtailed or curbed in some way. When that happens, it leads to a sense of injustice that’s perfectly understandable and impossible to ignore. It’s something that many people go through.
If you’re looking to ensure your hearing is properly protected and your mental health remains properly balanced, it’s important to know the signs of hearing loss and to take action swiftly. That way, you can get the treatment you need if you’re experiencing hearing loss and reduce the impact it has on your life.
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