World Mental Health Day is October 10, and this year’s theme is the universal right to healthcare. This day reminds us of the importance of ensuring access to quality treatment that respects individuals’ needs throughout their lifetime.
An integral aspect of healthcare is our hearing health, which can be closely linked to mental health. The literature demonstrates how hearing impairment can be associated with depression, social isolation, and loneliness and many studies report that hearing health is one of the crucial building blocks to an active, independent and socially connected life.
Research highlights a strong association between better hearing health and better mental health.
To ensure better mental health outcomes for millions of European citizens, it is necessary to integrate hearing health into public health frameworks. Several studies outline the important role hearing care, including hearing aid technology, can play in alleviating depression. A recent report outlined that hearing aid adoption is associated with approximately a 40% reduction in risk for moderate and severe depression. This appears to be universal – the report also found that hearing aids were associated with lower rates of depression and unmet mental health needs in 28 European countries.
These findings confirm earlier studies that link hearing loss rehabilitation to mood improvements and underscore the benefits of integrating hearing health into mental health frameworks, given that hearing aids may mitigate depressive symptoms.
Increasing hearing aid uptake – an opportunity with far-reaching implications
One of World Mental Health Day’s core messages is that we all have the right to live independently and be included in the community. This directly speaks to people living with hearing impairment, who report feelings of exclusion and social isolation.
Although the uptake of hearing aids and implants is on the rise, thanks to a growing share of the population taking action and seeking professional, high-quality hearing care, there is significant room for improvement.
According to EuroTrak data, European users’ degree of satisfaction with their hearing aids is high – 82% in France, 79% in Italy, and 77% in Germany, for example. Despite this, out of the 59 million people in Europe living with some form of hearing impairment, only 55% will eventually see a hearing care professional, and just 36% are using a hearing aid. This means there are millions of Europeans living with undiagnosed or untreated hearing loss, representing a major opportunity for improved outcomes in quality of life and mental health.
Prioritising hearing health – an important step for improved mental health outcomes
The research demonstrates the significant impact hearing care can have on mental health. It is important to raise awareness among those living with hearing impairment so that they know and understand all treatment options available to them. But crucially, policymakers must also promote early prevention strategies and increase access to appropriate interventions and treatments at the national level.
Recent advances in hearing aid technology, along with tools in noise prevention, hearing screening and rehabilitation, mean that “healthy hearing at all ages” is within our reach. On World Mental Health Day, policymakers should prioritise hearing health as they work to give citizens of all ages a life of increased well-being, inclusivity and social connection.
