Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Hearing Impairment in the Elderly

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between the severity of hearing impairment and psychological symptoms in the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Google Forms distributed via social media and hearing aid dispensers to participants aged 65 and above in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. The survey included demographic questions, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening version (HHIE-S), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The sample comprised 246 participants (102 males, 144 females) with a mean age of 72.58 ± 7.75 years. The median score for the HHIE-S was 22. Of the participants, 6.9% reported no hearing handicap, 50.8% reported moderate, and 42.3% reported severe hearing handicap. Hearing aid users had higher HHIE-S scores. The median BDI score was 29, with 3.3% of participants classified as minimal, 17.5% mild, 39% moderate, and 40.2% severe depression. A statistically significant difference in BDI scores was found among groups based on HHIE-S impairment levels (p=0.000). Gender differences were not significant for HHIE-S (p = 0.167) or BDI (p = 0.072), but marital status, education, and income level showed significant differences across groups. Conclusion: This study revealed that hearing handicaps and symptoms of depression are prevalent among individuals over the age of 65. Those reporting hearing handicaps have a higher rate of depression. Age, marital status, education, and income level effects hearing handicap and depression levels. No effect of gender on hearing handicaps or depression was observed. The use of hearing aids may contribute to a reduction in depression scores among individuals reporting hearing impairment.