Hearing Loss: If Left Untreated, It May Lead To Depression, Dementia
Hearing loss that occurs gradually as one ages is relatively common. Also known as presbycusis, close to one-third of people in the United States between 65 and 75 are estimated to have some degree of hearing loss--with heredity and chronic exposure to loud noises working as the main contributing factors.
New findings presented at the annual conference for the American Psychological Association found that people who are hard of hearing and who have not received the proper treatment for hearing loss are more likely to experience depression and even dementia as time goes on.
"Many hard of hearing people battle silently with their invisible hearing difficulties, straining to stay connected to the world around them, reluctant to seek help," Dr. David Myers is a psychology professor at Hope College, said in a news release. "Anger, frustration, depression and anxiety are all common among people who find themselves hard of hearing."
A recent study published in the Archives of Neurology found that sensory deprivation associated with hearing loss could increase a risk factor for dementia. Furthermore, researchers have found that social isolation can come with hearing loss, which can also boost dementia rates, as well.
Fortunately, researchers noted that a new type of technology known as a hearing loop could potentially help some individuals with hearing loss become more socially active. it works with the help of an inductive loop that transmits sound signals directly into a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
"Getting people to use the latest in hearing aid technology can help them regain control of their life and achieve emotional stability and even better cognitive functioning," Myers concluded. "Making public spaces directly hearing aid accessible is psychologically important for people with hearing loss."
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