Hearing Health and Mental Wellness: Why They’re More Connected Than You Think

It might be surprising to hear, but the truth is that hearing loss can impact more than just your ears. If you are suffering from any type of untreated hearing loss, then it could be taking a toll on your mental health.

In this article, we are taking a closer look at the connection between hearing health and mental health, helping you see the importance of treating hearing issues to help with cognitive function, mood, and overall well-being.

The Connection You Need to Understand: Hearing Health and Mental Health

Hearing loss has an impact on more than communication. If you are suffering from hearing loss, then it can have a domino effect on many other areas of your life. Researchers have found that untreated hearing loss is linked to stress, anxiety, and depression. The longer you go with untreated hearing loss, the more it can impact your mental health.

It makes sense that the brain and the ears work together. The brain needs stimuli from the ears to process communication and activities that are happening around you. When hearing starts to decline, the brain has a harder time processing sound. As a result, cognitive strain occurs, which can take a toll over time.

3 Reasons Why Hearing Loss Impacts Mental Health and Cognitive Function

Why does hearing loss play such a big role in mental health and cognitive decline? Researchers are still studying this connection, but the initial findings make sense:

• Social Isolation: Hearing loss causes communication challenges, which makes it frustrating to keep up with the interactions in social settings. If you feel embarrassed or find it hard to communicate at social events, then you might withdraw or avoid these types of gatherings. Staying away from social activities can increase isolation and loneliness, which increases the likelihood of anxiety and depression.
• Dementia and Cognitive Decline: When your hearing is struggling, it puts extra pressure on the brain to process the limited sounds that are coming through. This phenomenon causes mental fatigue, which can take a toll over time. Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can actually increase the risk of dementia. It’s necessary for your brain to have auditory stimulation in order to stay sharp. So, if hearing declines, then it’s likely that cognitive decline will also occur.
• Emotional Toll: There’s no question that hearing loss can have an emotional toll as well. How often do you feel embarrassed or frustrated when you are constantly asking other people to repeat themselves? You might feel left out of the conversation and find it difficult to connect with others. This whole dynamic can lead to low self-esteem. Also, the stress of trying to keep up with conversations can contribute to the development of social anxiety.

Will Hearing Treatments Improve Your Mental Wellness?

Just because you are experiencing hearing loss, it doesn’t mean that this condition has to take a toll on your mental and emotional health. The good news is that many modern technologies make it possible for people with hearing loss to improve their communication. Using hearing treatments will help you regain confidence and you will find it easier to reconnect with your loved ones.

The most important thing that you can do is work with an audiology team to find the ideal hearing support for your unique needs. Our experienced staff will provide personalized recommendations to improve your hearing and reduce cognitive strain at the same time. Many patients have success using hearing aids and/or assistive devices

As you improve your hearing, you will notice that it has a positive impact on your emotional well-being overall. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce your feelings of isolation and frustration.

How Hearing Aids Affect Brain Health

Not only do hearing aids amplify sound, but modern features have improved technology more than ever before. Now hearing aids can reduce background noises and enhance clarity at the same time, improving the overall experience when you are wearing hearing aids.

In fact, studies show that people with hearing loss may be able to slow their cognitive decline by wearing hearing aids each day.

These hearing devices help the brain to stay engaged throughout the day. You will be able to process sound more efficiently, which has a positive impact on your overall quality of life.

FAQ

Is hearing loss really linked to depression?

Yes, studies have shown that if a person has untreated hearing loss, then it can contribute to social isolation and eventually increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

Will hearing aids help me reduce the risk of cognitive decline?

You need to make sure that your brain is engaged and stimulated daily, and hearing aids can help with this if you are experiencing hearing loss. For this reason, wearing hearing aids may slow cognitive decline.

How often do I need to schedule hearing tests?

We recommend that adults schedule hearing tests every 1 – 3 years. Or, you might need more frequent testing if you notice changes in your hearing.

Protect Your Hearing for a Healthier Mind

Managing your hearing is essential to ensure optimal brain health and emotional wellness. We recommend that you take preventive steps to reduce the risk of hearing loss in the future:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises. If you are at a concert or around loud machinery, then make sure you are wearing ear protection.
• Schedule regular hearing checkups, especially if you suspect hearing loss.
• Take care of your overall health because other health issues can contribute to hearing loss, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

If you think that your hearing might be affected, then the best thing you can do is call our team for an appointment. We recommend a hearing test if you are struggling to follow conversations, you often ask others to repeat themselves, or you notice tinnitus (ringing in your ears).

Also, pay attention to other more subtle signs, such as increased frustration, cognitive fatigue, or mood changes throughout the day.

For more information about hearing testing and treatments, our team at Fairfax Hearing Center is here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation.