Even if you have an active, healthy lifestyle, you could experience hearing loss and specific cognitive concerns as you get older. And scientists have recognized a strong connection between the two that shouldn’t be dismissed and it will help if you don’t turn that hearing aid off.
People with neglected hearing loss are two times as likely to suffer from depression. Compared to individuals who use a hearing aid, frequent feelings of sadness were reported 27% more in those who have neglected hearing loss.
They were also 24% more likely to quit doing things they used to love and 39% more likely to feel as if people are angry with them for no reason.
There’s an even more troubling statistic you should know about, though you won’t like it very much. Keep that hearing aid turned on!
Our ideas about hearing loss will be completely transformed by this study
For centuries, age-related hearing loss has been considered a “harmless” affliction. It was thought that the other senses would merely compensate. People would simply go on with their lives attempting to live safely, healthily, and happily. Hearing loss was not 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 rethink hearing loss based on this well-structured and compelling study.
How the study was conducted
Dedicated researchers at the National Institute for Aging (NCOA) conducted this research and surveyed over 2000 individuals 50 and older. Individuals 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
Over 2000 family members of the participants were also included in this ground-breaking study. They did this to help validate what the participants were self-reporting. When we discuss hearing loss, this study, with the extra verification, becomes even more pertinent.
How depression affects health and quality of life
According to the American Psychological Association, those who struggle with depression are more likely to experience eating disorders that can lead to acute obesity or extreme loss of weight. They are more likely to suffer from insomnia and loss of memory.
They have diminished reaction time, which can result in severe injuries whilst cooking, driving, cleaning, and other activities. Healing is slower in individuals who suffer from depression and that can lead to longer hospital stays.
The chance of falling for older people is also increased when an individual suffers from depression.
Depression progresses as hearing loss progresses. The individual usually becomes more and more secluded, lonely, and unable to care for themselves.
Now, let’s take a look at a really sad statistic.
Hearing aid usage rates
About 75% of individuals who need hearing aids don’t use them. That’s right. Many people have the ability to protect themselves from depression by using hearing aids but for some reason abstain from taking the steps.
Why do so many people avoid using a hearing aid?
Many individuals who don’t wear a hearing aid actually do own one. They think it makes them look old so they just neglect wearing it. It makes them embarrassed.
A hearing aid update would be advantageous for these people. Today’s hearing aids can sync to your smart devices, work better, and are more subtle. This makes them seem less like a hearing aid and more like an extension of their smart technology.
Price is also a problem for a smaller but substantial number of people. States and insurance companies are now starting to recognize the connection between neglected hearing loss and total health. Hearing aids are, because of this, becoming more available and cost-effective. Additionally, people who object to the cost of hearing aids also don’t recognize how much-neglected hearing loss can cost them in the long run. They don’t understand how hearing loss effects their overall life. Unaddressed hearing loss can increase your overall healthcare costs by as much as 4o percent in only a few years.
What can be done to minimize hearing-associated depression symptoms?
Wear your hearing aid with pride. Help combat the stigma people feel about using a hearing aid by showing them how much healthier you feel when you can hear.
Take some time to master the advanced features of your modern hearing aid to optimize your hearing experience in every setting. You’re not getting the most from your hearing aid by simply cranking up the volume. If you haven’t upgraded your hearing aid for a while, contact us for a demo.
Consult us right away about the most effective way to use your hearing aid, especially if you feel like you’re not getting the most out of it and are tempted to leave it at home.
References
https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-older-adults-need-to-know-about-hearing-loss