By Max S. Chartrand Ph.D.

Question:

I read somewhere about the relationship between depression and hearing loss. I am a male, 69 years old and until recently have never had a problem with depression. But I am now on two kinds of antidepressants that I'd really like to get off of. Could it be that I have a hearing loss and don't know it? --- Mr. G. B.

Answer:

Dear Mr. G.B.: Without seeing your hearing test data I can only speak in generalities. But I think your question is important to a lot of our writers.

The fact that you are a 69 year-old male tells me that there is more than a 75% chance that you have a high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. In most such cases, the loss creeps up so slowly over many years that very few sufferers are even aware that they have a hearing loss.

And yes, there is a strong correlation between uncorrected hearing loss and depression. In fact, the cause-effect is so strong that it has been reported that psychotropic medication is used almost 400% more among those with (uncorrected) hearing loss than in the normal hearing population. In fact, medication and medical overuse tends to be extremely high in this group according to one recent VA study.

The challenge in self-assessing one's own high frequency loss where the low frequencies are normal or near normal is that it is almost impossible to determine without a professional evaluation. Even those around them would tend to think the problem is an attentional or cognitive disorder.

That is why it is so imperative for all older adults to have their hearing checked at least once per year.

In our own practice we've seen dramatic changes in a person's cognitive and physical health, as well improvements in personal and occupational relationships.

So, the short answer to your question is this: Come on in and let us find out if your problem really isn't really an uncorrected hearing loss needing attention. You have nothing to lose, and possibly much to gain.