Mental health is just as important as physical health. Unlike a broken bone, you cannot see hidden disabilities like hearing loss, depression and anxiety. Any of these are difficult to live with on their own, and it can be even harder when experiencing multiple or all of them. Thankfully, there is always some form of support that can help you. 

A hearing consultation is one way to improve your hearing health and learn more about how your anxiety or depression are contributing to it. These conditions often go hand in hand with one another, whether you had one before the other or started experiencing them around the same time. We want you to be able to live your best life despite your hearing loss difficulties and mental health struggles.

The connection between hearing loss and depression

If you have hearing loss, communication is already difficult and can be exhausting. Some may opt to avoid social interaction with family and friends just to bypass the effort it takes to enjoy them fully. The challenges of communicating effectively can lead to isolation and feelings of loneliness and frustration.

Hearing loss is associated with the development of depression because of this difficulty when interacting with others. It contributes to a bad mood and a decreased quality of life. About 21 million Americans have been diagnosed with depression. The good news is that 80% of those who seek help are able to recover within four to six weeks after treatment.

How hearing loss is related to anxiety

Being diagnosed with hearing loss can make you anxious. You will likely have a lot of questions. How are you going to afford hearing aids? How are you going to continue living your best life if you cannot hear well? You might not be able to stop thinking about the “what ifs.” Hearing loss can trigger anxiety due to these reasons. Another contributor may be trauma to the head, after which you then experience sudden hearing loss.

There are typically five types of anxiety diagnoses: obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety is treatable, but only around 36.9% of the 40 million Americans affected with anxiety seek treatment. It’s important to get the help you need when you need it.

A hearing consultation can help

When you begin to recognize the signs of anxiety and depression, especially if you’re already living with a case of hearing loss, you should consider visiting an ear specialist for a hearing consultation. We care about your hearing and mental health, and treating your hearing loss can lessen the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve your quality of life. Come see us!