The Connection Between Hearing and Mental Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹, May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. Making it the perfect time to build awareness of hearing loss, help people understand the many side effects, and share strategies for dealing with this affliction. In fact, per the National Council on Aging (NCOA)², about a third of the people between 65 and 74 are dealing with the effects of hearing loss.

Hearing loss can go far beyond being unable to hear someone on the phone or having to ask a waiter to repeat the special of the day. People with hearing loss are more likely to develop serious mental health issues too according to the NCOA³ including anxiety and depression.

Have You Lost Some Of Your Hearing?

Sometimes people suffer hearing loss and don’t even realize it reports the National Institute on Aging (NIA)⁴. If you’ve noticed any of the following things lately, especially if you’re over 65, you should probably make an appointment with your doctor per the NIA⁵ and get your hearing checked:

• Have difficulty understanding someone over the phone
• Find it hard to understand speech due to background noise
• Think that other people tend to mumble
• Struggle to follow conversations with two or more people
• Frequently ask someone to repeat what they said
• Need to increase the volume of your TV to excessive levels
• Can’t understand higher pitched voices

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Mayo Clinic⁶ cites four major reasons hearing loss can occur. These include:

• Aging and loud noises
  
• Ear wax build up that blocks the ear canal
• Infections in the ear, bone growths and tumors
• Ruptured eardrum from extremely loud noises

Heredity, recreational noises, some medications and illness can also be factors in hearing loss according to Mayo Clinic⁷.

Mental Health May Falter Too

In addition to the everyday issues mentioned above, there are some serious mental issues connected to hearing loss you should be aware of per the NCOA⁸. For instance, people who’ve lost their hearing may become anxious they’ll miss an important call or mishear what a loved one says over the phone states the NCOA⁹ There can also be feelings of social exclusion and loneliness reports the NCOA¹⁰. Still others may experience paranoia, feeling as if people are talking about them behind their back says the NCOA¹¹.

It doesn’t end there either. According to the NIA¹², older adults with hearing loss are at a bigger risk for dementia and their ability to remember and concentrate declines faster. The NIA¹³ says that hearing loss has even been linked to an increased risk for falls.

It’s ok to feel upset if you’ve lost the ability to hear. In fact, feeling mad, resentful and depressed is normal per the NCOA¹⁴. It’s a grieving process people go through and is ultimately followed by an acceptance of the situation claims the NCOA¹⁵. The big question is if you’re suffering from significant hearing loss what do you do next?

Best Ways To Cope With Loss Of Hearing

The first thing to do is talk with your doctor, or go in for a hearing test. This is especially true if you have sudden hearing loss, particularly if it’s only in one ear says Mayo Clinic¹⁶. The doctor may recommend several different types of treatments reports the NCOA¹⁷ including hearing aids, assistive listening devices, medication or even surgery.

Here are some everyday strategies from the NIA¹⁸ you can use to help you adjust to hearing loss:

• Let the speaker know if you don't understand what they’re saying
• Tell your family and friends about your difficulty hearing
• Look for facial expressions and gestures while you pay attention to what's being said
• Pick a good place to listen, preferably someplace quiet with the speaker facing you

Likewise, if you have a loved one who struggles with hearing, here are tips per the NIA¹⁹ for when you have a discussion with them:

• Face the person, stand in good lighting, and use facial expressions and gestures
• Be patient, as people with hearing loss may feel frustrated
•  Speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and talk a bit louder than usual (but don’t shout)
• Make sure only one person talks at a time

Remember, don’t hesitate to seek mental health counseling if you think you or a loved one needs it. Counselors can help you navigate the coping process says the NCOA²⁰ and even develop helpful skills. Also, reach out to organizations dedicated to helping people with hearing loss. Many of these organizations can connect you to support groups in your area filled with people facing the same issues as you suggests the NCOA²¹.  

Dealing with hearing loss can be a challenging journey. But it's important to remember that you're not alone. With the right resources, support, and mindset, you can live a fulfilling life and stay connected with the people you love.