Hearing Loss
and Mental Health
Have you noticed you’re feeling more anxious or sad? Untreated hearing loss is associated with social isolation, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. In fact, anxiety and depression are 4x greater among people with hearing loss. Oftentimes, those with untreated hearing loss may pull away from friends, family, and colleagues because they cannot hear well. They may feel embarrassed of missing information or having to ask people to repeat themselves.
The use of hearing aids can stimulate the brain and help people remain engaged in activities that are mentally challenging, providing benefits for brain health. They also boost confidence as individuals who wear hearing aids on a regular basis can hear better and with more clarity.
If you have a personal history or a family history of mental health issues, it that much more important that you be proactive in order to reduce the onset of preventable mental health issues. Communication is key. Be sure to discuss your mental well-being and hearing health with not only your audiologist but also your primary care doctor and any mental health professionals as well.
What to do:
- Be proactive. Everyone should have a baseline hearing test upon turning 55 years old and if any changes in hearing occur.
- Take action. New symptoms could directly relate to hearing loss. Don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse or for misdiagnosis. Get your hearing checked.
- Wear your device. If you were diagnosed with hearing loss, the best thing you can do is continually wear your devices. This helps support the brain, improve memory, and make you feel less fatigued at the end of the day. This will make it easier to participate again in all the things you enjoy!
