The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Hearing loss can happen to anyone, not just to older people. Young people, too, can lose hearing if they’re frequently exposed to noise pollution. But worry not—various treatments are now available for impaired or hearing loss.

But what if the condition goes untreated? Or worse, what if someone with hearing loss doesn’t realize their need? An untreated hearing loss heavily influences a person’s mental health and emotional well-being. They now face mental and cognitive challenges, with isolation and loneliness looming over them.

Treating hearing loss becomes imperative if you recognize the symptoms of hearing loss. Before you suffer from psychological distress, find a solution for that previously untreated hearing loss.

Effects of Hearing Loss on Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Some people with hearing loss treat it as a temporary inconvenience. But your hearing ability can diminish as you age. There is a link between hearing loss and psychological challenges, especially among older adults. Aside from feelings of isolation sparked by aging, hearing loss can lead to more extreme social isolation.

This situation affects not just patients with age-related hearing loss. People of any age can risk falling into depression from hearing loss. They may suffer mentally and emotionally if they don’t address or treat their condition.

Untreated hearing loss, in general, will lead to riskier consequences. Aside from a physical effect, hearing loss also affects the psyche. Never underestimate the risks of untreated hearing loss.

If you notice it starting to happen, get treatment as soon as possible. You can still have a good quality of life if you deal with hearing loss soon. 

Lower self-esteem

Hearing loss may cause low self-esteem. Hearing loss patients become unconfident. Their self-consciousness makes them shy away from other people. If the hearing loss goes untreated, they may never regain their confidence.

The most ideal solution is to raise their self-esteem by getting hearing solutions. A discreet hearing aid can do wonders. If their condition is serious, they may get a cochlear implant. Their normal hearing may not improve, but shyness or embarrassment no longer worsens their situation.

Loneliness from social isolation

Experiencing loss of hearing usually comes with difficulty communicating. Conversations become a struggle, and understanding is lost completely. When engaging in social situations is harder, many people withdraw from having a social life altogether.

Humans are social creatures. They thrive on interactions with other humans. The isolation that leads to loneliness has a negative mental health impact. They will be prone to more negative thoughts and emotional distress without friendships or friendly interactions.

Psychological distress

Frustration and helplessness often arise from the inability to hear and communicate effectively. Fear of miscommunication or embarrassment from untreated hearing loss can drive a person to spare. This results in anxiety and depression.

With heightened stress levels, people with hearing loss will struggle to go through their daily lives. Their hearing health will not improve because of the constant strain to understand sounds and speech. Instead, this distress may end up causing higher blood pressure, leading to even more health problems.

Lower cognitive function

The reduction of cognitive function is another problem caused by untreated hearing loss. The brain must labor harder to process sounds. It may no longer have the capacity for processing memories or solving problems.

This lowering of cognitive function becomes dangerous when people have to be alert, like when working with heavy machinery or driving. Being in unsafe situations with high-risk factor have psychological effects like anxiety or mental distress.

Treatment Options for People with Hearing Loss

Getting treatment is a solution for people suffering psychologically from hearing loss. While treating any mental disorder caused by physical impairment is critical, treating the original problem can alleviate the symptoms. So, instead of solely treating the symptoms of depression or low self-esteem, it’s better to work on the hearing impairment or loss as well. 

Hearing aids

Using hearing aids is the most effective and common solution for dealing with hearing loss. These tiny electronic devices have been around for decades. They are designed to help people with even the most severe hearing loss regain some hearing ability.

Modern hearing aids are technologically advanced. Their customized features and improved function address different degrees of hearing loss. The various style options also allow the users to maintain their confidence and comfort.

Cochlear implants

Hearing aids may not be enough for people with severe inner ear damage. They usually choose cochlear implants. These internal devices are surgically implanted but have external parts attached to the side of your head or resting behind the ears.

Instead of amplifying sounds, the implants stimulate the auditory nerve directly. This will provide a sense of sound, which the brain will process as signals. The implant will not return the user’s normal hearing, but it can help where the hearing aid fails.

Auditory learning programs

These programs involve various exercises and techniques to make the most of their residual hearing. The aim is to improve communication strategies. Furthermore, you can do them together with hearing aids or cochlear implants. The combination will help you further enhance your hearing ability.

Some programs are readily available online, such as from the Hearing Loss Association of America. Otherwise, you can consult your audiologist to get references for other auditory learning programs.

Improve Mental Health by Getting Treatment

Don’t let hearing loss or other auditory challenges get you down. Instead of stewing in feelings of loneliness or letting depression score, getting treatment for your hearing issues is more valuable and beneficial.

Of course, you may also want to talk to your therapist or mental health care provider. Mental health is equally essential to your hearing health. Ensuring your hearing and mental health well-being will improve your quality of life.

You can start by evaluating yourself (try this hearing quiz first). Scheduling a check-up with an audiologist is also a good start. The bonus is that you can get out of social isolation and lessen the burden of loneliness with a trip to the clinic. Life with a hearing loss doesn’t have to be lonely—make it better by getting treatment.