This year’s World Mental Health Day (October 10th) focuses on the close association of depression with chronic physical illnesses or disorders – including education on the link between hearing loss and depression. Depression can be a disabling illness that seriously impacts overall health.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation, depression and other emotional conditions affecting mental health and quality of life. A large-scale study by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that people 50 and older with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration, emotional instability and paranoia, and were less likely to participate in organized social activities than those who wore hearing aids. The degree of depression and other emotional or mental health issues also increased with the severity of hearing loss.
To learn more about the awareness day go to www.wfmh.org.