A Review of Psychological Therapy Modalities for Hearing Loss Related Depression

Abstract

Depression is characterized by low mood, loss of interest in pleasurable activities and reduced energy level. It can either be precipitated or perpetuated by hearing impairment. People with hearing impairment are faced with the risk of rejection from the society, many people prefer to use glasses than to wear hearing aid because of negative societal perspective to hearing aid. People with hearing impairment may have a negative view about the world, paranoid idea about people, pessimistic views, feeling of being different especially when wearing hearing aid. Patients suffering from hearing loss have psychosocial difficulties and depression, the importance of psychological assessment in their management cannot be over emphasized. It is evident that cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective for easing the distress caused by hearing loss. Psychotherapy must be targeted towards improving the negative thought, pessimistic view about life and coping with the stress of wearing hearing aid. Competent mental health counselors managing clients with hearing loss help to focus on the clients' strengths and assets. Strengths-based counseling always focuses on capability, not disability. Individuals with hearing loss learn to reject society's challenges to handicap them through limitations, restrictions, and discrimination.