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Disentangling the Ties Between Hearing Loss and Depression

In an article that we posted a couple of weeks ago, we pointed out that leaving hearing loss untreated can pose a high risk of depression to the patient. Because of difficulty in following conversations, people with troubled hearing often find themselves experiencing social isolation. And as the brain works double-time in order to cope with its incapability to hear clearly, the patient tends to use up more energy than it should, resulting to unnecessary fatigue. Also, hearing loss, if taken for granted, can affect the productivity of a person. All of these serves a contributing factor to the development of depression later on.

 

What is Depression?

It is not uncommon to feel sad and low from time to time. While this is true though, some people experience this feeling on a different level of intensity and for a longer period of time. This is what we call depression, a common yet serious mental health condition, which negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. Effects can go from losing interest in doing things he or she previously enjoys, to having difficulty in sleeping and feeling anxious easily or for no apparent reason. If depression persists, it can possibly affect a person physically and mentally.

 

Signs of Depression

Again, it is worthy to note that it is normal for everyone to have their fair share of experiencing some of these symptoms every now and then. But, a person may possibly be feeling depressed if he or she has been noticing these signs from more than two weeks already. Symptoms vary from one person to another, and a patient may or may not experience everything listed below.

This is not meant to be used for self diagnosis. Use this list only as a general guide to have an idea if you or someone you know is experiencing depression.

  • Feeling sad during most of the days
  • Heightened irritability, frustration, and moodiness
  • Loss of interest in doing things you previously enjoy
  • Recurring feeling of worthlessness and guilt
  • Unintended and significant changes in weight
  • Being indecisive, unable to concentrate, and lack of confidence
  • Having troubles sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping way too much (hypersomnia)
  • Thoughts of suicide and death

 

Tips on Dealing with Hearing Loss and Depression

If you or you know someone who is suffering from depression due to hearing loss, take suggestions from below, which can be of help in improving the situation.

  1. Join a community. There are plenty of ways that hearing loss patients can do to join a community. In today’s day and age, finding a group that they can comfortably take part in has been made easier with the use of the Internet. Joining a community will give them an instant support group. Also, mingling with people who are experiencing the same situation as theirs will make them feel normal again and help in pulling themselves out from social isolation.
  2. Explore relief options. Most depressions are triggered by the inability to communicate clearly. Get this out of the way by laying down the options. One of these is getting a hearing device, which can assist in amplifying sounds around the patient and cancelling unnecessary background noises that are making it hard for him or her to hear clearly.

PRO TIP: Listening Lab offers different hearing aid styles that fit various personalities. Check this page out to know more!

  1. Seek help from professionals. Don’t be afraid to ask help from mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors. Their expertise can easily figure out the next best thing to do so you or your loved one can feel better and gain back your old energetic self!

Dealing with depression is challenging, even more when there are communication barriers. But with the help of your support systems, like your loved ones and us here at Listening Lab, you will be able to overcome this obstacle in no time!

For more helpful insights about hearing loss, head on to our The Listening Lab’s  blog page!

About The Listening Lab

Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.

Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.

If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the best hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.

What Do Our Customers Say?

CatherineTangYap-Testimonial
Person in charge nice and helpful with warm smiling face. Should you have hearing problem, can seek for her advise.
Catherine Tang Yap
MrChing
Your service is marvellous! Patient and friendly. Mr Ching has been a customer of The Listening Lab since 2018. We have been attending to him for his follow up reviews and we are glad to see his progress!
Mr Ching
mr-mrs-Sriram
My husband purchased a Siemens Pure 7PX in 2016. We wish to appreciate Listening Lab for their ongoing attention and professional help they have been providing to us.
Mr & Mrs Sriram
madam Low
My mum has hearing loss for many years. Consultant of Listening Lab helped her fitted with Resound hearing aid. His patience and professionalism was greatly appreciated as the hearing aid enable her to hear and communicate with the people around her especially her grand children. We are happy with the services rendered by consultant. Keep up the good work!!
Madam Low
BryanRichmond-Testimonial
The Voice of two Generations in Singapore radio, Mr Brian Richmond, has chosen The Listening Lab to be his audiology and hearing services provider. We could not be prouder!

Brian is the definitive household name in English Radio since the early years of Singapore's founding, starting with Rediffusion followed by Radio One and now with Gold 90.5FM as well as Vintage Radio Singapore. His honeyed voice and selection of music filling our ears as we lived the bustle of our daily lives.

Soccer fans from the Malaysia Cup era of soccer will never forget his heart-pounding commentary from "live" matches, as we experienced the ups and downs of the Singapore Lions in the 1970s to 90s.

Our Executive Director Kelvin Lee is proudly beaming ear-to-ear in this photo with Brian. But you wont be able to see it through the masks!
Brian Richmond
JonathanPo-Testimonial
I started experiencing loss of hearing sometimes in 2010 (41 years old) owing to some medical issue. I was having difficulties hearing conservation especially in meeting. Thus, giving me the fear in attending meeting.

Initially I started with Phonak hearing aid. It helps amplified the sound and I could hear better then. Somehow, my hearing loss deteriorated further that in late 2012 (43 years old), there was profound loss of hearing on my right ear. Even digital hearing aid could not help. On my left ear there is still about 50% to 60% hearing with hearing aid. I was lost at this point of time. I was considering learning sign language. I went to see my ENT specialist and my audiologist Mr. Bala advised me to go for an CI as an alternative to my hearing loss.

I also thank God for Engineer and Scientist, giving them the knowledge to create such a complex and sophisticate device to help those with hearing loss like me. It will be all perfect if the cost is affordable too.
Jonathan Po
madam goh
I took my mum to Listening Lab at Simei to get her hearing aid fixed, during our first visit, she patiently explained the whole procedure to my mum and also explain to my mum why she really in need to fix the hearing aid. She is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and we are encouraged to ask questions. she is also very patient with old people which is the most importance. Also her after service is superb so I highly recommend.
Mdm Goh
MadamKek-Testimonial
My mum, Madam Kek (73 year old) had the Cochlear implant (CI) done on her left side in 10th September 2019. Thereafter, thanks to the subsequent auditory verbal therapy, evaluation from SGH ENT team, as well as, the support from AB's and Listening Lab staffs; Madam Kek was able to hear, comprehend sound and music from her Cochlear implant, Naida CI Q90, and hearing aid (HA), Naida Link UP, for her right side before end year. We are happy that both the CI and HA have improved mum qualify of life. Now Madam Kek is looking forward to work again to pass her time as she can hear and better communicate with others.
Madam Kek
TitusPang-Testimonial
Titus was implanted when he was 18 months old. He is a happy, talkative 6.5 years old now. AB has been with him for 5 wonderful hearing years and we are looking forward to a bright future that lies ahead for him. AB’s Naída CI sound processors are reliable and the technology is constantly evolving and upgrading. When Titus was introduced to Naida Link CROS, his life was enriched. The wireless network established between his Naida CI sound processor and a Naida Link CROS transmitter allows him to hear from both ears. This changes Titus’s life and the way we interact with him. We are also very pleased with the prompt response and service provided to us. The staff in AB genuinely cares! We want to thank AB for making Titus’s hearing journey an enjoyable and a relatively stress free one!
Titus Pang
mr tan
I have been living with progressive hearing loss for more than three decades. Socially, I find myself fearful of communicating with people and at home, watching 'soundless' television programs is a norm.

An unforgettable experience. Trying on a pair of Resound GN hearing aid, I was energized and revitalized and overwhelmed with emotional tears of joy. The Resound GN is truly remarkable and uniquely equipped with three-friendly-user environmental modes that provide hearing comfort wherever we are.

In particular, I like to extend my utmost gratitude to Hearing Consultant. With her profound compassion and wisdom in guiding me, I am confident that I can forge a formidable partnership with the Listening Lab; So that I can rebuild a new chapter of a happy and value-creative life and simultaneously, leaving behind the painful memories of the past three decades.
Mr Tan
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