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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic On Mental Health and People With Hearing Problems
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic On Mental Health and People With Hearing Problems
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased
prevalence of mental health problems among the
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currently available for audiologists such as the Perceived While counseling patients about the impact of mental
Stress Scale (PSC), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale health conditions on hearing problems, audiologists gain
(HADS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PSQ-9), and Insom- from listening to their story and hardship. Be friendly, empa-
nia Severity Index (ISI).35-38 These tools are easy to score and thetic, kind, non-biased, and non-prejudiced as patients do
should be given to patients prior to consultation. If a patient’s more than listen to what you say. They also observe body
scores are high on an anxiety and/or depression question- language for signs of irritability and judgment. To demystify
naire, a referral to a mental health care professional for as- and normalize the experience of COVID-19-related psycho-
sessment and treatment might take priority over audiological logical distress, audiologists must also provide education on
intervention. However, clinicians should always err on the side an array of topics including the impact of public health meas-
of caution when discussing scores obtained with these ures on mental well-being, the relationship between distress
standardized scales. Although it is within the audiologist’s and ear-brain connection, and stress management tech-
scope of practice to screen for emotional disturbances, clini- niques.
cians are not permitted to communicate mental health diag- Finally, patients need to understand that stress can be use-
noses such as anxiety and depression. ful in a situation of real danger. However, chronic psychologi-
cal distress can interfere with hearing health. Thankfully, many
stress management strategies have proven to significantly
Counseling & stress MANAGEMENT reduce the negative effects of chronic distress and improve
Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions quality of life. Regular exercises, better sleep hygiene, limited
worldwide. In Canada, statistics show one in every five adults access to social media/news along with daily relaxation and
will struggle with a mental health problem at some point in their meditation practices (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness, yoga)
lives.39 Despite public education campaigns and changing be- can help build resilience and improve hearing health. Seeking
liefs and attitudes toward mental illnesses, stigma, unfortunately, professional counseling may also be recommended for pa-
persists among the general population. Mental illness-related tients struggling with addiction, chronic pain, relationship
stigma has been identified as a significant barrier to access problems, and poor overall well-being.
treatment and receive quality care.40 The fear of being stigma-
tized often leads patients to conceal critical information about
References for this article can be found at http://bit.ly/HJcurrent.
their mental well-being to health care practitioners.