Life today is filled with sounds from a wide variety of sources. These include highways, loud music, the work of public transport, the construction of new buildings, etc. In fact, residents of large cities are constantly exposed to noise pollution. For some of us, such noise exposure proves to be excessive. Hearing becomes worse, which negatively affects our psycho-emotional state as well!
Does hearing loss affect our moods?
It would seem that there is a connection between hearing loss and mood. There is a connection. Hearing loss doesn't just cause physiological problems like dizziness or cognitive decline. People with hearing loss gradually isolate themselves from society, developing new psychological barriers and challenges. According to statistics, people with hearing loss are also more likely to have depression! At the same time, a bad mood is not a cause for alarm. But if hearing loss is the cause of your depression, ignoring the problem can be costly! In addition, a depressed psycho-emotional state can also be a consequence of being in a noisy environment all the time. The processing of sound consumes the nervous resources of the brain. There comes a situation when these resources are no longer sufficient to maintain attention or a positive mood.
We must not forget that prolonged exposure is one of the causes of hearing loss! Therefore, all of these phenomena are interrelated and require your attention!
Three conditions for a good mood!
If you are constantly depressed and suspect hearing loss is to blame, there are three solutions to the problem. They can help you get your mood and confidence back!
Hearing test
The first thing to do is to have your hearing tested. You can use a free online hearing test. Testing is an easy and effective way to find out if you have hearing loss. The result will tell you what to do next. If your hearing test shows a hearing problem, make an appointment with an audiologist. The professional will tell you if you have a problem and what to do about it. If it turns out that your hearing is fine, it is a good idea to have it tested.
Use hearing aids
If a hearing test shows a problem, the next step is to get a hearing aid. For people with age-related or noise-induced hearing loss, it makes the sound louder and clearer. Studies show that hearing aids positively affect hearing and improve the quality of life. A hard-of-hearing person returns to a happy and active life after just a few weeks of daily use of medical devices.
Make an appointment with a therapist
If the hearing loss continues to have a pronounced effect on your well-being, and the methods described above have not worked as they should, it may be time to seek psychotherapeutic help. Many psychotherapists specialize in helping people with psycho-emotional problems related to the sensory system, including hearing. They develop coping mechanisms for anxiety and depression.
