Hearing Loss May Increase Depression Risk

People who lose their hearing are more likely than others to become depressed, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a U.S. government health survey of 18,000 adults. Those who were 70 and older received hearing tests. The others were asked about their hearing and any problems with it. Everyone also filled out a questionnaire designed to show if they were depressed. About 5% of those with no hearing problems and 11% of those with some degree of hearing loss were depressed. Depression with hearing loss was most common among those under age 70. Women had higher rates of depression than men. Depression was also more likely as hearing loss grew worse. But those who were totally deaf were not more likely to be depressed. Researchers said they may have become used to coping with a lack of hearing.