Depression as a Consequence of Presbycusis: A Study From a Government Tertiary Care Center in Uttarakhand

Background Presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss (ARHL), is one of the most prevalent sensory deficits among the elderly and is often associated with social isolation and cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the association between ARHL and depression in the geriatric population of Uttarakhand, India. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1, 2024, and February 29, 2024, at the Government Doon Medical College Hospital, Uttarakhand. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from consecutive patients meeting the eligibility criteria during the study period. Presbycusis was confirmed using pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry. Depression was diagnosed by qualified psychiatrists according to the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) criteria and assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) under psychiatric supervision. Patients with comorbidities known to cause depression, a previous history of psychiatric disorders, conductive hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media, and otosclerosis, and those using hearing aids were excluded. Data analysis was performed using Stata software version 18.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX), with statistical tests including the Chi-square, Fisher's exact t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The study included 65 non-institutionalized geriatric patients diagnosed with ARHL, with a mean age of 68.4 ± 7.86 years, of whom 61.5% were male patients. Among the participants, 36.8% had mild hearing loss, 40% had moderate hearing loss, 16.9% had severe hearing loss, and 6.2% had profound hearing loss. Depression was present in 89.2% of the study population, with 50.8% experiencing mild depressive symptoms, 26.2% moderate depression, and 12.3% severe depression. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between hearing loss and depression (r = 0.538, p = 0.000). Chi-square analysis further revealed a significant association between the severity of depressive symptoms and the degree of hearing loss (p = 0.001). Conclusion The study provides compelling evidence of a strong association between ARHL and depression in the elderly population of Uttarakhand. Moreover, the findings suggest that greater severity of hearing loss correlates with higher levels of depressive symptoms, underscoring the need for early diagnosis and intervention. Addressing ARHL not only improves hearing outcomes but may also reduce the risk of depression and enhance overall well-being in ageing populations. Further research is warranted to develop effective therapeutic strategies that integrate audiological and mental healthcare for this vulnerable demographic.