Hearing loss before 50 may mean higher risk of drug and alcohol issues

People under age 50 with hearing loss misuse prescription opioids at twice the rate of their hearing peers, and are also more likely to misuse alcohol and other drugs, a new national study finds. This means that health care providers may need to take special care when treating pain and mental health conditions in deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults, the researchers say.

We're seeing more research uncovering links between hearing loss and mental health:

• Hearing loss associated with development of dementia
  
• Increased risk of psychosis in patients with hearing impairment
• A study of elderly Hispanics found that hearing loss increased the risk of depression symptoms

How can mental health practitioners join forces with audiologists to address this important intersection?