Link Between Hearing Loss and Depression Highlighted by Better Hearing Institute for World Mental Health Day

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 7, 2010

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) announced today that it is participating in World Mental Health Day on October 10th by educating the public on the link between hearing loss and depression. This year’s World Mental Health Day focuses on the close association of depression with chronic physical illnesses and calls for integrated care. Depression can be a disabling illness that seriously impacts overall health.

“When left untreated, hearing loss often leads to isolation, depression, and other emotional conditions that can affect both mental health and quality of life,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, executive director of BHI. “Yet, hearing loss remains one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today.”

The link between unaddressed hearing loss and depression is compelling. For example, a large-scale study by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that people 50 and older with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration, emotional instability and paranoia, and were less likely to participate in organized social activities than those who wore hearing aids. The degree of depression and other emotional or mental health issues also increased with the severity of hearing loss.

A recent survey released by Australian Hearing, part of Australia’s Department of Human Services, found that people who suffer from hearing loss may be at increased risk of developing the debilitating effects of depression. As reported in its 2008 Annual Report, the survey found that 60 per cent of those with hearing loss had displayed some of the symptoms associated with depression. It also found that almost 20 per cent of those with hearing loss demonstrated at least three key symptoms of depression. Specifically, 52 per cent had displayed increased irritability and frustration; 22 per cent had trouble sleeping or experienced restlessness; and 18 per cent showed a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.

“Hearing loss is not a harmless condition to be ignored or left untreated,” says Kochkin. “It has tremendous impact on your life. And if left unaddressed, it can have serious emotional and social consequences.”

It’s important to understand that in the vast majority of situations, hearing aids can help the individual hear better and thereby alleviate the conditions that may lead to depression when hearing loss is left unaddressed. Studies have shown that hearing aid wearers experience significant improvements in quality of life and decreased depressive symptoms; have significantly higher self-concepts compared to individuals who do not wear hearing aids; and their functional health status improves significantly after three months of hearing aid use.

In fact, the NCOA study found that those who used hearing aids to address their hearing loss had a reduction in depression and depressive symptoms; improved interpersonal relationships, including greater intimacy; experienced less anger and frustration; enhanced emotional stability; decreased paranoid feelings; reduced anxiety symptoms; reduced social phobias; greater belief that they were in control of their lives; reduced self-criticism; improved cognitive functioning; improved health status; reduced incidence of pain; and enhanced group social activity.

Today, there are more than 34 million people in the United States with hearing loss—roughly 11 percent of the U.S. population. And over the last generation, hearing loss has increased at a rate of 160 percent of U.S. population growth.

“More Americans than ever before are suffering with hearing loss,” says Kochkin. “That means greater numbers are leaving their hearing loss unaddressed—simply because they don’t understand how significantly it affects their quality of life and mental health.

“Unaddressed hearing loss has become an entrenched public health issue that is closely linked to depression, especially in older individuals. World Mental Health Day is an extremely important acknowledgement of the inter-relatedness of physical and mental health. We need our healthcare gatekeepers to recognize the importance of addressing both in an integrated healthcare setting.”

The World Federation for Mental Health established World Mental Health Day in 1992 to provide an annual opportunity for public education about current issues and improving well being. It is the only annual global awareness campaign to focus attention on specific aspects of mental health and mental disorders.

The World Federation for Mental Health encourages local, national and regional authorities and organizations to observe World Mental Health Day on October 10th with events and programs that focus on “Mental Health and Chronic Illness: The Need for Continued and Integrated Care.” Campaign materials prepared by the World Federation are available for download on its website (http://www.wfmh.org).

Founded in 1973, the BHI conducts research and engages in hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss to benefit from proper treatment.

http://www.betterhearing.org/

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Question by : joining the navy w/ history of depression, anxiety and add?
I was on antidepressants a few years ago for less than a year. My doctor said that he has diagnosed me with “ADD versus anxiety” a few months ago, and he prescribed me some meds, but I know I don’t REALLY need them (and I think the anxiety part is bs, I just sometimes have trouble concentrating in school).
I’m getting conflicting information on this being a problem or no for joining? I know I’ll probably need waivers, and I’ll have to be off of the meds for at least a year first, but is it a likely possibility anymore?
Thanks.

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After 6 Months of Needed Rest, Folk Artist and Suicide Prevention Advocate, Heather McCready, Will Perform Again – Just in Time for Mental Health Month this May.

Heather McCready has a love of nature and photography. This is one of her own pictures.

Winnsboro, Texas (PRWEB) April 18, 2012

Heather McCready’s sweet voice, peaceful music and message of hope as a suicide prevention advocate fell quiet after the creative folk singer/songwriter began to feel unwell just before her Christmas CD was released last year. In addition to ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder, depression anxiety, Heather McCready also suffers from Fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disorder causing her to suffer symptoms that have proven to be a real challenge for the singer such as bouts of throat swelling, asthma, anemia and severe problems with memory. In fact, her illness forced her to cancel her performances and take six months to rest and work closely with doctors to help her recover. Now, Heather McCready is feeling stronger and ready to get back on the stage and do what she loves to do most, sing her uniquely peaceful brand of folk music and spread her message of hope to others. And what better place for her to return to the stage than a concert that benefits causes near and dear to her heart? Heather will be performing alongside her producer/ arranger,Milo Deering, a well known virtuoso and highly sought-after studio musician who has played on literally hundreds of CD’s. Milo’s gifted hand can be heard on many singer’s and songwriter’s albums, most notably Lee Ann Rimes, Jack Ingram, Steve Holy, Trout Fishing in America and Slim Whitman. Milo has appeared as a member of Blue Country (Ms. Rimes band) on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, The Grammy Awards, David Letterman, The Billboard Music Awards, Nashville Now, The TNN Awards and The View. Most recently Milo was in the popular bluegrass band, Bealtegras, and has been playing with Heather McCready.

The Wildernest Treehouse MusicFest benefit is on May 4-May 6. 2012. Proceeds will benefit the continuation of musical arts at Crossroads Music Company and Listening Room as well as Mental Health America of Greater Tarrant County, where Heather McCready serves on the board. The weekend will be packed with all genres of bands dedicating their time and talents for music lovers are coming from miles away to enjoy. The location is set on a newly renovated, very cool stage in the trees in a Quitman Texas countryside location. A $ 25 ticket will buy the whole weekend of music! In addition, every performer has donated a song for a compilation CD to further benefit the causes.

For more information stay tuned to http://www.wildernestmusicfest.com and http://www.HeatherMcCready.com t will be held in Quitman, Texas May 4-6,2012. Space is limited! So hurry and get your tickets! Heather and Milo perform on Saturday evening, May 5th.

Heather McCready and Milo Deering have co-produced, arranged and written together on four CD’s together to date. Now they are working on the fifth. Recently one song, “Sunshiny Day” received the high honor of being a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.

All of Heather Music is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CDBaby.com.

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Question by Towelie: Would I be prescribed anti-depressants/anti-anxiety?
I wake up at least a few days a month in a bad mood, low energy and feel as though my work is pointless. Other days im normal but it always fluctuates a little. I am also an anxious person, not terribly bad but i do not like talking in front of people and am not a big fan of crowds.

So if i went to a therapist do you think i would be diagnosed with depression/anxiety and given medication?

I would never want medication and feel as though alot of “depression” and “anxiety” should not be treated with drugs. What do you think?

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the symptoms aren’t serious enough. if it isnt “maladaptive” (causing harm in day to day life) it’s not considered a problem.

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