Hearing loss brings communication difficulties that cause embarrassment, frustration, fatigue, and can lead people to retreat from social participation. This social isolation, in turn, creates misunderstandings and feelings of loneliness and depression.
A study by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD) confirmed a long-suspected and logical connection between hearing loss and depression.
Dr Chuan-Ming Li, the study’s author, reports that over 11% of adults with “a little hearing trouble or greater hearing impairment” experienced moderate to severe depression, compared to only 5% of the general population of people who have “excellent” hearing.
In other words, more than double the incidents of depression occurred when hearing loss was present.
Dr Li acknowledges that the study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
However, according to Dr Sergei Kochkin of the Better Hearing Institute, 9 out of 10 people said their quality of life significantly improved after they were fitted with hearing aids by a professional.
Read more:
Depression and Hearing Impairment in Adults
Patients report improved quality of life with hearing aid usage