A 2023 research in South Korea published in the Journal of Audiology and Otology produced a disquieting result. The survey, using questionnaires evaluating mental health and other aspects of life, aimed to examine their quality of life. And from the 10,921 participants surveyed, it was revealed that older adults with hearing adults are more likely to have suicidal ideation.
Hearing loss does affect mental health and have far-reaching consequences. Seniors suffering from hearing loss experience lower emotional vitality, well-being, and self-efficacy. Suicide risk is an emerging issue that comes at the helm of depression and ‘unwell-being.’
Another research has also revealed that people with hearing loss are more prone to poor mental health and mental disorders. Hard-of-hearing adults, in particular, face anxiety and depression compared to their counterparts without a hearing problem. Children with hearing loss, too, tend to show behavioral problems.
But why is the effect of hearing loss on mental health so big? How much does it affect individuals with hearing loss in real life? Is there a solution? Let’s find out.
Stress-Inducing Challenges of Hearing Loss
Frustrations abound for people with hearing loss of any degree. These frustrations lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s no surprise that people with hearing loss often feel estranged or give up from social interactions completely.
Communication challenges
The problem with hearing impairment or loss is that many important parts of communication get lost. This results in confusion and misunderstandings. When people with hearing loss struggle to keep up with conversations and must ask others to repeat themselves, they may feel embarrassed or inadequate. These situations can be extremely stressful.
Professional obstacles
Adding to that sense of inadequacy is the struggle people with hearing loss face in the workplace. Again, important information may get lost in discussions or conferences, resulting in overdue deadlines and lowered participation and productivity.
High stress can also rise from trying to keep up with the crucial discussions among team members. When the contributions from the hard-of-hearing go unnoticed, the stress mounts.
Withdrawal, isolation, loneliness
Both challenges impact the hard-of-hearing social life. When conversations become hard to follow, group settings become too noisy, and work situations become tense, they will withdraw socially. But consequently, self-isolation only enhances the feelings of loneliness. Instead of feeling safe in their own space, they may find themselves craving social interaction. But without a drive to move forward, they will sink into further depression.
Issues with stigma and confidence
While losing your hearing is part of aging naturally, people with hearing loss may not accept the loss gracefully. After the initial shock, denial may follow. Losing a primary sense like hearing does tend to wreak havoc on a person’s confidence. And when there’s stigma attached to hearing loss, their self-esteem will drop even more.
Being embarrassed over things like needing other people to repeat themselves or wearing hearing aids creates a mental block. Those feeling embarrassed may put off getting treatment or request reasonable aids at work. But this just makes communicating even harder. It feels like an endless cycle of issues.
Cognitive decline and mental fatigue
The final mental blow to people with hearing loss is when their cognitive functions diminish. First, it may start with mental fatigue. People with impaired or lost hearing must work harder to understand conversations. The mental effort required may result in fatigue even from the simplest interactions.
When they struggle to process speech, it also puts them in danger of quickly losing their focus and memories. They spend too much energy decoding conversations, having no room to recall details or concentrating on tasks. This struggle then leads to more frustration and irritability. And with the deterioration of brain function thanks to everyday communication struggles, conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia may not be too far ahead.
Rescuing the Mental Well-Being of People with Hearing Loss
How can we save the mental health of people with hearing loss? Two options, among others, are available.
Get expert and technological help
This is a piece of advice we won’t get bored repeating: seek help and get treated. Untreated hearing loss will only get worse. But it doesn’t have to be.
Audiology clinics are quite common now. People with hearing loss can consult with hearing specialists or audiologists in these clinics and get the treatment they need. Hearing assessments are available, as well as medication and surgery.
The same goes for hearing aids. An audiology service can recommend a suitable hearing aid that fits your appearance, lifestyle, and budget. With modern tech advancements, hearing aids are beating the stigma attached to it. And other coping strategies (like assistive listening devices or auditory training) for those with impaired or lost hearing are also available.
Get educated and build a support network
Self-education and a personal support network are two other essentials people with hearing loss or impairment need. When a person is educated on their condition, they will be more equipped to find solutions for their problems. These solutions may include treating their mental health issues, as well as hearing issues.
More importantly, they need to know they’re not alone. Organizations and support groups exist where people with hearing loss can raise awareness and get educated. These groups may even provide counseling to cope with the grief over losing their hearing. It’s certainly healthier to cope with this mechanism than isolating themselves.
Healthy Hearing Is Healthy Mind All Around
After understanding the links between mental health and hearing health, the stats in the beginning are no longer mystifying. A healthy hearing definitely influences your state of mind. So, even if you have trouble hearing, you can still maintain your quality of life through professional counseling and treatment.
Don’t wait until you get stressed to check your hearing health. Get evaluated now at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas and enjoy a happy life.
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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