The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

Recent studies have found a shocking connection between hearing loss and serious health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is thought that the strain of having to decode words over the years, the lack of stimulation delivered through the ears to the brain, or the social isolation that often occurs with hearing loss is responsible for this connection. It’s not just mental functions that are diminished with untreated hearing loss, people with untreated hearing loss have been shown to be less healthy than those that seek treatment.
Economic
Untreated hearing loss costs the average person 12,000 a year, and the collective monitory cost of untreated hearing loss is thought to exceed 100 billion dollars a year. It is believed lower salary is due to more mistakes that come about due to an inability to engage in every day communication.
Emotional
A comparison of older adults with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids and those who did use hearing aids showed a marked difference in levels of happiness and general satisfaction with life. Those who did not use hearing aids were more likely to report sadness and depression, worry and anxiety, paranoia, less social activity, emotional turmoil and insecurity.
Treatment
People who improve their hearing with hearing aids more often reported better relationships with their families, better feelings about themselves, improved mental health, and greater independence and security. Thus, hearing loss can impact health, income, and emotions in ways people fail to realize. There are many important reasons for treating hearing loss. See you audiologist to begin your journey back to hearing fitness.
To treat your hearing loss today, call Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology to make an appointment at 661-210-3582!