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To remain happy in the mainstream of life, check your hearing.  Researchers in Columbia’s ENT department studied over 5,000 New Yorkers with hearing tests but also screening for depression.  They found that even a mild hearing loss doubles your chances for depression. If you have a severe hearing loss, you are 4 times more likely to be depressed.

Almost everyone over 70 has at least a mild loss.  It is easily diagnosed and treated with amplification or surgery.  If you or someone you know is missing conversations and instructions, drag them to get a hearing test.  I say drag, because most of us resist the idea of a personal hearing loss as a sign of aging.

Here’s good news: you can test the benefit of amplification by using your smartphone with an earphone as an amplifier.  Also be aware that hearing aids will soon be available over-the-counter at reasonable prices.

#hearing loss #depression #hearingaids #healthnews #healthtips

Justin S. Golub, Katharine K. Brewster, Adam M. Brickman, Adam J. Ciarleglio, Ana H. Kim, José A. Luchsinger, Bret R. Rutherford. Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2018; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.3270