As technology continues to advance, our ability to identify symptoms of both hearing loss and mental illnesses increases. Previously, losing your hearing was just a natural part of life. The science did not yet exist to assist those with hearing loss.
As technology and research have increased exponentially, we can identify and treat mental health-related hearing loss.
Hearing loss impacts more than 60 million people over age 12 in the United States. About 75% of people aged 70 years or older have hearing loss, making it the 3rd most common health condition in seniors.
Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Mental Health
It has been proven that hearing loss and tinnitus increase one’s risk of developing mental illnesses. These include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and dementia. Also, it has been proven that cases of those with hearing loss can trigger episodes of extreme anger and suicidal ideation.
Also, people with untreated hearing loss are likely to experience frustration, anxiety, and fear. When these responses and emotions set in, it can leave the afflicted feeling stressed or anxious. In some cases, this can also lead to insomnia, which often negatively affects one’s mental health.
Keeping this information in mind, protecting one’s hearing prevents or delays hearing loss and benefits mental well-being. Understanding the signs of mental illness and accessing mental health resources can be critical to all individuals with hearing loss or tinnitus.
What are the Symptoms?
But what symptoms can help us identify this link? Individuals with hearing loss have reported feeling socially inept in group settings, unable to continue conversations, talk off-topic, or dominating the conversation because they can’t hear when others are talking.
When a person cannot hear properly, engaging in conversations is often a daily struggle. This can lead to social isolation and depression. In people 65 and older, hearing impairment is among the most common chronic conditions associated with depression. Those with hearing impairment have significantly higher rates of depression than those without hearing impairment.
In addition to depression, hearing loss has also been linked to schizophrenia. Several studies have supported a hypothesis that proposes that social exclusion and loneliness can predispose people to schizophrenia by increasing sensitization of the dopamine system.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
In older adults, hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Usually, reduced social engagement coupled with a cognitive load focused on coping with hearing loss rather than thinking can lead to a faster mental decline. However, hearing aids significantly reduce this risk.
Recently, researchers from the University of Wisconsin demonstrated links between Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss. They also suggested that hearing loss could be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with mild hearing loss at the beginning of the University of Wisconsin study were more than four times more likely to have mild cognitive impairment after four years than those who started the study with normal hearing.
Even in younger people, scientists have linked hearing loss to changes in the brain. In younger adults, the brain uses the auditory cortex to understand spoken words and sounds. After age 50, it begins to use the frontal cortex. However, MRIs of younger adults with mild hearing loss show premature use of the frontal cortex in deciphering language.
What Can You Do?
For those who do not have hearing loss, it can be helpful to consider what that person may be going through.
People with healthy hearing don’t have to think twice about communication. However, for people with hearing loss, communication can be an important factor in navigating everyday life.
For example, communicating with their doctor can cause them a great deal of anxiety. It may seem like they cannot speak with their medical professional because they can’t hear, leading to misinformation.
It is essential to be aware of the struggles of those with hearing loss and to offer our guidance and support to those that require it. Simply listening and trying to communicate with someone with hearing loss could be the difference in aiding their mental health.
Compromised hearing is often tricky to spot, as the affliction is subjective to the person experiencing the hearing loss. The person afflicted may be too proud or too embarrassed to share their distress, resulting in worsening the condition and a steeper mental decline.
The good news is that there is help in both prevention and treatment. Hearing loss caused by noise exposure is entirely preventable by taking measures like turning down the volume on your earbuds or using hearing protection devices such as earplugs when necessary. Regular hearing screenings can also help detect hearing issues early on.
Address the Hearing Loss
Simply put, the earlier one detects and addresses hearing loss, the better the possible outcome. Treating hearing loss can improve overall well-being, and it can help keep the brain engaged through stimulation. This will allow for better communication, leading to improved mental health. Simply consulting your doctor and asking for telehealth services can significantly impact the future state of your hearing.
Also, it’s essential to understand the options for treating hearing loss. If you believe you may have hearing loss, contact your doctor or audiologist immediately. If you live in the Las Vegas area, consult Hearing Associates of Las Vegas for all of your hearing needs.
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