Hearing Loss & Depression

Have you found yourself avoiding social gatherings? Were you once the “life of the party” and now find yourself isolated in the background? Have you considered that it may be your hearing that is holding you back

Recently, the KTLA Los Angeles News highlighted hearing loss and depression in a recent health update. This story made me think about the importance of hearing and it’s affects on mental health. When we cannot understand conversations were tend to stop participating in activities we once enjoyed. Often social gatherings occur in loud and noisy environments which compromises our ability to understand speech. We isolate ourselves to avoid embarrassment from answering questions incorrectly. This isolation can eventually lead to depression.

With this in mind, a hearing test may be valuable for people experiencing symptoms of depression. Correction for hearing loss in combination with treatment given by a mental health professional may be beneficial.

Our connection with people affects our outlook on life. It was Helen Keller who said “Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.”