Hearing loss can negatively affect mental health in a variety of ways. When a person has difficulty hearing, communication becomes difficult. This can lead to problems such as loneliness, sadness, and social isolation.

The good news? Hearing aids or other treatments not only reduce the discomfort caused by hearing impairment, but also the risk of depression.

What research shows

It is well known that people over 65 years of age with hearing loss are more likely to have depression than other people of the same age without it. The numbers vary, but the overall prevalence of depression among older adults with hearing loss is approximately 1 of 5. 

The risks are higher if the hearing loss is severe or when there is a dual sensory impairment, such as vision and hearing loss.

Why is depression more common?

Researchers don't know exactly why, but they theorize that it is due to communication difficulties and the social isolation that can arise due to them. In addition, it may be due to changes in the brain that occur with age.

People with hearing loss find it more difficult to follow a conversation. The answers to the questions discussed a few minutes ago can be confusing.

Even without the most severe hearing loss, people may feel like others are talking about them because they can't follow the conversation, and this can make them feel paranoid.

In addition, frequently asking to repeat can annoy others, causing the person to withdraw into himself.

Hearing Loss Treatments Relieve Depression

The good news is that if depression is caused or exacerbated by hearing impairment, treating it can have a positive impact on your mental health as well.

Hearing aids are the most common treatment for most types of hearing loss. At the same time, hearing aids can improve people's social, emotional, and psychological quality of life.

People are not always aware of the psychological burden of their hearing loss — but after weeks of getting used to wearing hearing aids, patients often wish they had picked them up earlier.

For people with more severe hearing loss or conductive hearing loss, bone anchor hearing aids or cochlear implants may be recommended.

All of these devices make it easier to keep in touch with others, whether it's casual communication with a neighbor or spending time with loved ones.

Audio training

However, hearing aids won't help if you don't wear them as much as you should. Therefore, the greatest benefit is usually seen among people undergoing audio therapy, which helps them adapt to hearing loss, wear hearing aids, and communicate more effectively.

These efforts can make a big difference: after three months of wearing hearing aids and six months of audio training, participants in a small research in Australia had reduced symptoms of depression.

And finally, it is also important to carry out behavioral therapy to treat depression. For people with hearing loss, therapeutic interventions such as acceptance therapy can be especially helpful in addressing the emotional impact of deafness.

How to talk about hearing loss with a loved one

If you're worried that a parent or other loved one is showing signs of hearing loss and suffering from depression, you may not know how to start a conversation.

We advise you to try to focus on the benefits of treatment. For example, it can be said that hearing aids make it easier to communicate with friends and family, or that their use can reduce dependence on others. It's also worth noting that modern hearing aids have become much more effective thanks to the latest technology.

It stands to reason that untreated hearing loss can negatively affect mental health and increase depression. Mourning for hearing loss is normal and understandable. However, there are many steps that can be taken to address these issues. Hearing aids and other treatment options can help you stay socially active, connect with others, and be fully present in life's most important moments.

If you exercised before you got hearing aids, there's no reason to stop doing it now. It's perfectly safe to exercise with hearing aids – just keep a few caveats in mind.

Wearing hearing aids can have a significant impact on your training sessions. Modern hearing aids are durable enough to withstand the challenges of your active lifestyle – as long as you take good care of them.

3 Good Reasons to Wear Hearing Aids When Playing Sports

1. If you can't hear well during team sports, don't be surprised if your team doesn't win. The ability to communicate with the team is essential for a good game. Put on your hearing aids and follow the process without hindrance.

2. If you exercise on your own, such as running, you will feel much safer with hearing aids. As with any other situation, you want to hear what's going on around you, so feel free to bring your devices with you.

3. For many, music is a motivational factor when exercising. The best hearing aids today are easy to connect to your phone. With hearing aids, you can perform your workout program more efficiently while listening to your favorite music.

How to protect hearing aids during exercise?

The biggest challenge for hearing aids during sports is moisture – usually from sweat. Behind-the-ear hearing aids are especially vulnerable when there is a risk of moisture entering the electronic part.

But don't worry. You can buy various accessories that prevent sweat from getting into your hearing aids. Why not get a headband or waterproof case for your device? Both options are easy to put on and prevent moisture from reaching the electronics.

If you play more aggressive sports like football or basketball, even the best hearing aids can fall out of your ears and fall to the floor. To prevent damage from falling, you can use a clip to attach your hearing aid to your clothes.

It is also recommended that you pay attention to the clothes you wear. Hooded hoodies, for example, can interfere with the proper placement of hearing aids in the ears. The same goes for bicycle helmets and even caps. Consider fitting these things properly so that they don't interfere with your devices and provide a more comfortable experience.

What can be done to protect hearing aids after exercise?

Using your cleaning kit, carefully remove earwax and debris from your hearing aid with a special needle and remove moisture with a pump.

You can also invest in a drying box. The dryer box simply stores your hearing aids overnight and safely removes moisture while doing so. Some drying boxes even provide protection against bacteria – a double benefit.

Cleaning your hearing aids after exercise extends their lifespan and improves the quality of the sound you hear. So start taking care of your hearing aids during and after sports.

Just ran in the rain with hearing aids? Or spent an hour on the hot and humid subway? No matter where you live, you've probably encountered similar situations. But your hearing aids don't really like moisture. In this article, you will learn how to properly dry your hearing aids and maintain their functionality for as long as possible.

Electronic devices, such as hearing aids, are vulnerable to humidity and water. This is not surprising. But what exactly is so harmful about water? It turns out that it is often not the water itself that harms the electronic device. These are microscopic impurities and ions in water.

If you're unlucky, the ions in the water form a chain connecting the two contact points in your electronic device. Then, when your device is turned on, a chain of ions directs the electricity where it shouldn't go. And this creates a short circuit. Unpleasant, right?

Theoretically, you could dry the device completely and make it work again (if the problem is due to ions). But... We do not recommend trying this approach.

Metal parts are another problem

Metal is an integral component of an electronic circuit. In hearing aids, metal parts are protected by a special coating that prevents corrosion from water. But sometimes this coverage is not enough.

For example, if the hearing aid is repeatedly exposed to moisture or rain without being dried or cleaned after. To keep your hearing aids completely dry, you will need a hearing aid dryer.

Most hearing aids are designed to withstand water and moisture. With a coating on the metal parts and a waterproof design, hearing aids are generally well protected. But this does not mean that additional steps should not be taken to dry them. The better you care for and clean your hearing aids, the better they will perform and last longer.

Hearing Aid Dryer

Dryers are small boxes similar to those used for jewelry or watches. Drying of hearing aids in them occurs due to the heating of the air inside the device. They are suitable for all hearing aids, both rechargeable and conventional, and are generally easy to use. For regular hearing aids, you just need to put your hearing aids in the dryer, close it, and press the start button. Drying can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours.

Dryers for rechargeable hearing aids also work as chargers. This is very convenient because you can simply put your hearing aids in the dryer overnight and the next day they will be dry, charged, and ready to use.

However, if you happen to be in the rain with your hearing aids or don't take them off in the shower, it's best to dry them immediately. Some dryers have UV lighting as an added bonus for disinfecting devices while drying.

Non-electric dehumidifiers

There are other ways to dry your hearing aids, such as dehumidifiers. Hearing aid dryers come in the form of granules, discs, or pads. This is very convenient when there is no outlet nearby and you cannot use the hearing aid dryer. Dehumidifiers are easy to find online, pharmacy or on our Site.

Protective covers against rain and sweat

If you want to prevent water or humidity from entering your hearing aid, you can also purchase waterproof hearing aid covers, such as the Ear Gear case, which also protects your hearing aids from dirt and other things. This is very convenient when you play sports and sweat a lot.