Email from HDI High Definition Impressions

October 2025

• DEPRESSION •

Throughout our lives, for various reasons, we all face mood-related highs and lows. While we aspire to savor joyous moments, inevitably, there are times we feel sad. That’s normal and nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Sometimes, we just have to roll with it...

As healthcare consumers, proactively applying an Internal Locus of Control mindset makes sense, especially as related to hearing. Self-advocacy and reflection is highly advised.

“The concept behind locus of control is fairly simple. Our lives are full of actions and outcomes. Each of us will ascribe a certain locus of control over these outcomes. The theory states that we will place the location, or locus, either externally or internally. If we place the locus of control externally, we are likely to blame the outcome on fate, luck, or happenstance. If we place the locus of control internally, we are likely to believe our own actions determine the outcome.”

To pointedly express, an Internal Locus of Control mentality is ideal to strive for.

With these pivotal goals in mind, Did You Know...October is recognized as Depression Awareness Month? As compassionate believers in patient-centered care, we educationally align with community efforts to reputably share relevant knowledge. Doing so ensures you and your loved ones can Take Control with making well-informed decisions about how life’s soundtrack may activate pleasures or in the absence thereof, mental stressors.

What should we learn from intensive research about how hearing loss may affect mental health? Notable highlights include...

From one study:

“Findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that hearing loss is associated with 1.47 (note: almost 50%) greater odds of depression in older adults. Older adults with hearing loss are likely to experience emotional and social loneliness¹, poor cognitive function², and difficulty in completing daily activities³, which are also independently associated with increased depressive symptoms in later life.⁴ Hearing loss may therefore worsen existing difficulties associated with psychosocial and functional abilities during older age, increasing the likelihood of developing depression.”

“A proportion of older adults may experience depressive symptoms associated with hearing loss, and we recommend allied health professionals and general practitioners increase their awareness and understanding of depression experienced during aging.”

...and another:

“Reduction in depressive symptoms was also observed after the use of hearing aids. The conclusion drawn by the authors is that some factors influence this positive effect of aural rehabilitation, such as the of social isolation, the positive effect on neuroplasticity that reflects auditory training in working memory and reading ability, as well as improvement in self-motivation, self-esteem and self-confidence.” ⁵

1 Contrera, K. J., Sung, Y. K., Betz, J., Li, L., & Lin, F. R. (2017). Change in loneliness after intervention with cochlear implants or hearing aids. The Laryngoscope, 127, 1885–1889. doi:10.1002/lary.26424

2 Jayakody, D. M. P., Friedland, P. L., Eikelboom, R. H., Martins, R. N., & Sohrabi, H. R. (2018). A novel study on association between untreated hearing loss and cognitive functions of older adults: Baseline non-verbal cognitive assessment results. Clinical Otolaryngology, 43, 182–191. doi:10.1111/coa.12937

3 Gopinath, B., Schneider, J., McMahon, C. M., Teber, E., Leeder, S. R., & Mitchell, P. (2012). Severity of age-related hearing loss is associated with impaired activities of daily living. Age and Ageing, 41, 195–200. doi:10.1093/ageing/afr155

4 Hörnsten, C., Lövheim, H., Nordström, P., & Gustafson, Y. (2016). The prevalence of stroke and depression and factors associated with depression in elderly people with and without stroke. BMC Geriatrics, 16, 174–180. doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0347-6

5 Castiglione A, Benatti A, Velardita C et al (2016) Aging, cognitive decline and hearing loss: effects of auditory rehabilitation and training with hearing aids and cochlear implants on cognitive function and depression among older adults. Audiol Neurootol 21(suppl 1):21–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000448350

Many national organizations aim to increase understanding about mental health imperatives and locally, we will do our part to:

Alert those we serve about the uplifting benefits of communication wellness.
Raise awareness about how depression can trigger social isolation and disrupt daily activities.
Bring Joys of Hearing to life by consistently delivering high-quality and trusted hearing care.

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

Festive or frustrating, which will it be? Realizing the holiday season is fast approaching, we strongly recommend considering how auditory acuities impact one’s ability to enjoy family gatherings and sustain vital brain stimulation.

Having deep experience in prescribing personalized hearing solutions, we point out that Emotional Well Being is a precious gift which will keep on giving. Instead of suffering from anxiety, conversational misunderstandings and social withdrawal, choose to embrace uplifting connections. You can take proactive steps to minimize or forestall negative domino effects and we will help throughout every step of your journey.

It’s never too late to take control. This holiday season, prioritize hearing health and schedule a personalized consultation. Your future self, loved ones and colleagues will be Happy to Hear!

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Stilwell, KS 66085

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“Was referenced to Focus Hearing from Hear.com. The hearing exam given was the most comprehensive to which I have ever been exposed to. They were professional, highly competent, and provided significant positive actions to enhance my hearing challenges. My quality of life was greatly improved by the Focus Hearing experience.”

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