Hearing loss among adults goes untreated despite the fact that modern hearing aid technologies can help and the result is increased incidence of anxiety and depression, a new case, presented during the annual American Psychological Association's conference, stated.
According to psychology professor David Myers, who also has hearing loss, a study from the National Council on Aging involving 2,304 people who have hearing loss found that those who don't bother getting hearing aids have 50 percent more chances of going down with depression compared to people who wear them.
In contrast, those who use hearing aids are more likely to become socially active, Myers added.
There are about 15% American adults who say they have hearing difficulties, according to data coming from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), as reported in Medical News Today.
Hearing aids have shown to improve hearing and communication abilities among those who suffer from hearing loss.
Hearing aid technologies, according to Myers, can help sufferers "regain control of their life," as well as become emotionally stable and achieve better cognitive functions.
However, studies find there are several people who still don't use the device. In addition, after finding out they have the condition, people would still wait for six years before they go out and seek help, Myers said according to a report from UPI.
Myers mentioned that a 2011 study found that hearing loss can also contribute to the risk of developing dementia.
According to researchers who performed the study, years of loss of hearing and the withdrawn personalities commonly found in hearing-impaired individuals put them at risk of dementia and other cognitive ailments.
Myers suggests that modern hearing aids, including those that are compatible with smartphones and hearing loop technology, can be used to help sufferers to become more socially active.
The hearing loop system, popularly used in the United Kingdom and Scandinavian nations, allows wearers to hear efficiently in public spaces.
Myers also suggested that making public spaces accessible for hearing aid wearers would be psychologically beneficial to these people.
