John Fetterman to return to Senate with hearing aids, improved speech after depression

Candy Woodall, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Sen. John Fetterman, who was recently released from the hospital after treatment for clinical depression, will return to Congress later this month with improved mental health – and better hearing.

While at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for six weeks, Fetterman was fitted for hearing aids to address mild-to-moderate hearing loss that was discovered.

The 53-year-old Pennsylvania Democrat has struggled with speech and language issues since he had a stroke shortly before the May primary. He used closed captioning for support during the remainder of his Senate campaign and since being sworn into office.

His medical team believes his depression may have hampered his stroke recovery.

"With improvement in his depression, improvement in the patient's speech abilities was noticeable and we believe that significant continued improvement is likely with continued outpatient rehabilitation," Dr. David Williamson, neuropsychiatry chief and medical director, said in his discharge notes that were shared by Fetterman.

"Fetterman has expressed a firm commitment to engaging in this rehabilitation process," Williamson added. "His depression, now resolved, may have been a barrier to engagement."

Previous coverage: Sen. John Fetterman describes 'downward spiral' of depression in tearful TV interview

After depression, Fetterman encourages others to get help

Sen. John Fetterman was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday after checking himself in Feb. 15 with clinical depression. He is expected to return to the Senate on April 17.
Sen. John Fetterman was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday after checking himself in Feb. 15 with clinical depression. He is expected to return to the Senate on April 17.

Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed on Feb. 15 with "severe symptoms of depression," according to Williamson, that included low energy and motivation, minimal speech, poor sleep, slowed thinking, slowed movement, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, but no suicidal ideation. He had also stopped eating and drinking fluids.

Six weeks later, Williamson said medical therapies helped to put Fetterman's depression in remission.

Fetterman said in a statement the care from medical providers at Walter Reed "changed my life."

"I will have more to say about this soon, but for now I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works," he said. "This isn’t about politics — right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help."

'Stigma is not yet broken': Lawmakers share stories on mental health with Fetterman hospitalized

Candy Woodall is a Congress reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Fetterman returning to Senate with hearing aids, improved speech