It’s common for people with hearing loss to experience anxiety; fortunately, research shows treatment can help. In fact, according to one 2017 study, “The problem of anxiety and depression in patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss is relatively prominent, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression are obviously affected by the symptoms and other diseases. After treatment, anxiety and depression status changes significantly.”
Below we review more about the connection between these conditions and how treatment for hearing loss can help with anxiety.
What the Research Shows
The research shows that there is a strong correlation between hearing loss and anxiety. The more severe your hearing loss is, the greater the chance of having this disorder. In another 2017 study of 1,700 adults ages 76 to 85, those with mild hearing loss had a 32% higher chance of having anxiety; for those with moderate or higher hearing loss, this chance rose by 59%.
Why the Link?
Having hearing loss can make you worry about a lot of things. For example, you may have anxiety about mishearing someone and responding inappropriately to what they said. Or you may worry that you might miss an important warning sound like an alarm or car honking.
How Hearing Aids Can Help
The best way to treat anxiety is to address the source of it. If your hearing loss is what’s causing your anxiety disorder, it makes sense that treating it will help with both conditions. When you can hear what your conversation partner is saying at High Ground Cafe in North Sioux City, you won’t feel as anxious about how your respond. And when you can hear warning sounds, you won’t worry as much about your safety.
Other Devices that Can Help
There are other types of devices that can help people with hearing loss that aren’t hearing aids. For example, you can invest in a sunrise alarm clock that wakes you with light so you aren’t worried about being late for work. A captioned phone will allow you to communicate with people like those at your doctor’s office without fretting about mishearing important information.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.