The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Mental Health

Millions of Americans suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Clinical depression is one of America’s most common mental health conditions, affecting over 21 million people, according to Mental Health America.

Harvard Health cites several possible contributing factors, including trauma, genetic vulnerability, life circumstances, brain changes, faulty mood regulation by the brain, medications and the misuse of alcohol or drugs and other medical conditions. While the exact cause can be challenging to determine, we can add hearing loss to the list of possible risk factors.

Hearing loss, which approximately 48 million Americans experience, may significantly elevate a person’s risk for developing mental health conditions, particularly depression.

Several possibilities could explain the connection between hearing loss and mental health, including social isolation and loneliness. Both have been implicated as significant social determinants of health (SDOH), the social and economic conditions that influence health risks and outcomes.

Several studies have found that social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for several costly, life-altering health conditions, including dementia, depression, heart attack and stroke. A study of 20,000 people by Cigna concluded that loneliness was associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes daily, and it posed a greater health risk than obesity.

Frank Lin, MD, and his Johns Hopkins University colleagues stated that hearing loss contributes to social isolation, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders. The research concluded that individuals with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss had a twofold, threefold and fivefold risk, respectively, of developing dementia over time, compared to peers without hearing loss.  

To this end, hearing loss and anxiety are also closely connected. This tendency towards social withdrawal can heighten anxiety as the fear of misunderstanding or missing important information becomes more pronounced.

The anxiety can further exacerbate the hearing loss experience, making it harder for individuals to cope with their condition and seek necessary support. Consequently, the interplay between hearing loss and anxiety underscores the importance of addressing both issues simultaneously to improve overall well-being and quality of life.

Researchers think other factors may also contribute to the psychological effects of hearing loss. For example, people with hearing loss often have balance issues, which can lead to decreased physical activity and, ultimately, depression and anxiety. Another side effect of hearing loss is tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears.” Severe cases of tinnitus can disrupt a person’s life, contributing to depression and anxiety.

For health insurers and employers, the connection between hearing loss and mental health should set off alarm bells. Depression and the comorbidities of social isolation and loneliness come with an enormous price tag.

“For every dollar spent treating depression, an additional $4.70 is spent on the direct and indirect costs of related illnesses, and another $1.90 is spent on a combination of reduced workplace productivity and the economic costs associated with suicide directly linked to depression,” notes healthcare consultant Paul E. Greenberg in a Scientific American blog post.

Depression costs health insurers, employers and U.S. society as a whole an estimated $382.4 billion annually, for related mental illnesses, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as for physical ailments, such as back disorders, sleep disorders and migraines, according to Greenberg. Employers pay a steep price through absenteeism and reduced productivity: an estimated $38.4 billion.

People with depression usually stay in the workforce, he adds, but employers see elevated levels of absenteeism and presenteeism—people showing up for work but whose illness impacts their productivity. Whether you’re a health insurer concerned about rising medical costs or an employer striving for maximum workforce productivity, focusing on hearing health makes more sense than ever.

It’s clear that by treating their hearing loss, many individuals could reduce their risk of depression. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) investigated this question, analyzing results from a survey of 2,300 hearing-impaired adults aged 50 and older. In its report, the NCOA concluded that people with untreated hearing loss are more likely to report sadness, depression, worry, and anxiety and are less likely to participate in organized social activities compared to those who wear hearing aids.

The Blue Mountains Eye Study looked at 1,328 participants aged 60 and older over the course of two years. The results found depressive symptoms to be common in older adults with hearing loss, especially in women younger than 70 with hearing loss, who were found to be “five times as likely to have depressive symptoms.” The study also concluded that “frequent or regular use of a hearing aid was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. Early recognition of these symptoms could lead to interventions or rehabilitation that may be of practical assistance in retaining a higher quality of life.”

Unfortunately, people often don’t understand the impact of hearing loss on their mental health. Compounding matters, they may not seek treatment because of the high cost of hearing aids. Your organization can drive awareness about the connection between hearing loss and mental health and help make hearing aids more accessible and affordable by offering a best-in-class hearing benefit. 

At Amplifon Hearing Health Care, we’re deeply committed to providing comprehensive solutions tailored to your organization and your members. Learn more about our solutions, and schedule a demo with our dedicated team.