If your hearing – or the hearing of someone you love – isn’t the best, you know how frustrating it can be when the dialogue on TV is too quiet to follow. What you may not know is that the hearing loss that has you shopping for TV hearing devices, is also associated with depression.
In fact, researchers from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, found a strong link between hearing impairment and depression among U. S. adults of all ages, particularly women.
When the study was released, lead author Dr. Chuan-Ming Li, who is a researcher at the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), commented. "We found a significant association between hearing impairment and moderate to severe depression,” he explained.
HealthDay Reporter Kathleen Doheny reported on the study connecting hearing loss to depression in for WebMD. “In the new study, as hearing declined, the percentage of depressed adults increased -- from about 5 percent in those who had no hearing problems to more than 11 percent in those who did,” she says.
James Firman, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging, was one of two experts in the field who reviewed the study conclusions. "It is not surprising to me that they would be more likely to be depressed," he said when the findings were announced. "People with hearing loss, especially those who don't use hearing aids, find it more difficult to communicate with other people, whether in family situations, social gatherings or at work."
In the study, women of all ages and people who couldn’t yet call themselves seniors (under age 70) were more likely to suffer from depression because of their hearing loss. “In the new study, as hearing declined, the percentage of depressed adults increased -- from about 5 percent in those who had no hearing problems to more than 11 percent in those who did,” Doheny said.
If you think you or someone you love may be depressed – whether it’s the result of hearing loss or not – we hope you won’t let it go untreated. There are many treatments available for depression.
Free Hotline Numbers
If you have questions or aren’t sure where to turn, MentalHealth.net provides this list of resources, which are available to you at no charge:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s behavioral health treatment services locator is an easy and anonymous way to locate treatment facilities and other resources, such as support groups and counselors, to treat and manage depression.
- National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) If your depression is leading to suicidal thoughts, call the National Hopeline to connect with a depression treatment center in your area. The Hopeline also offers a live chat feature for those who don’t want to (or are unable to) call and can dispatch emergency crews to your location if necessary.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) This national hotline is another valuable resource for people whose depression has escalated to suicidal or other harmful thoughts. Their network of crisis centers provide emotional support and guidance to people in distress and are also available via a chat service and a special hotline number for the hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.
- National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663 This resource provides brief interventions for youth who are dealing with pregnancy, sexual abuse, child abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts. They also provide referrals to local counseling, treatment centers, and shelters.
Hearing Aids for TV – and more.
Of course, the best thing is to avoid becoming depressed as a result of hearing loss. From over-the-counter personal sound amplification devices to tiny, cutting-edge hearing aids, there might be more options than you think!
Here at Chair Speakers for TV, we would be proud to think that the TV hearing device we developed helped lift your spirits – or the spirits of someone you love. If you have questions about our wireless speakers for TV, please call 1-888-440-5273.