Evaluation and comparison of adults with normal hearing and hearing loss according to Beck Depression Inventory

Hearing loss is a problem that can be seen in all age groups. It can occur in infancy as well as in advanced ages. So it can be congenital and/or genetic depending on any illness, occupation and noise exposure and/or depending on age. In addition to language and speech problems, social and psychological problems can also be added to the story of hearing loss, especially in early childhood. Hearing loss that greatly affects communication with age; It can cause individuals to be afraid of being understood, withdraw, hesitate to enter noisy environments and completely isolate themselves from other people. Depending on age; Individuals with hearing loss are reluctant to enter environments that they enter for the first time and/or involve a community, and may fail or fear failure in their education and/or business life. Along with these, many anxieties (anxieties) about life occur. The amount of these concerns depends on when the hearing loss occurs. Purpose of the study; Hearing loss in terms of depression status of adults with normal hearing and hearing loss; The aim is to compare the similarities and differences depending on the existence, degree and side, age, gender, marital status and educational status. A total of 80 people, 40 adults with normal hearing and 40 adults with at least moderate hearing loss, were included in the study. Depression levels were determined by applying the Beck Depression Inventory to these individuals, who had a hearing test (pure tone audiometry) beforehand. Individuals with hearing loss in the tests conducted in the SPSS 25.0 program; When evaluated in terms of gender, marital status and educational status, no significant difference was found between depression and depression. However, in individuals with hearing loss, a significant difference was found between depression in terms of hearing loss side, level of hearing loss, and age. In our study, it is seen that the increase in the degree of hearing loss, in addition, age and bilateral hearing loss have a greater effect on depression.