On average, people who have been diagnosed with some degree of hearing loss wait up to seven years before pursuing treatment. They know they are suffering from untreated hearing loss but find it hard to seek help. There are different reasons each person waits to seek help, but many feel frustration over their untreated hearing loss, thinking that it is a sign of ongoing aging. Others may believe their condition is not that serious or might not know they have a problem.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to more serious consequences in the future. Highlighted in recent studies have been the psychological, social, cognitive and other health effects caused by not treating hearing loss. The effects can vary, but untreated hearing loss will impact quality of life.
Untreated Hearing Loss and Emotional Effects
Hearing loss that has gone untreated has been linked to a series of emotional health issues, which include:
- Stress, tension, fatigue and depression
- Negativism, irritability, and anger
- Withdraw or avoidance of social situations
- Reduced alertness with increased threat to personal safety
- Loneliness and feelings of social rejection
When experiencing hearing loss you may have trouble following conversations while in a group. This problem may lead you to socially withdraw and limit time spent with family and friends. Over time untreated hearing loss can cause anxiety and depression. The idea of being in the middle of a large gathering or a meeting at work may cause you to feel extremely anxious.
Cognitive Decline From Hearing Loss Going Untreated
Along with effects to your emotional well-being, hearing loss that goes untreated can affect cognitive health. A decline in your ability to hear means your brain is receiving less stimulation because it is not working to identify specific sounds. This can lead to a person having memory as well as hearing loss and even dementia. The brain works in much the same way as your body. Working out the varied muscle groups of the body helps it to maintain overall health. If you focused only on a specific area, the parts of your body not being attended to would weaken. This is similar to how hearing loss that is untreated affects your brain. The part of the brain that is responsible for sound transmission becomes weaker, which makes it more likely that you will experience both memory and hearing loss.
Hearing Aids Benefits
The first step you can take toward a better quality of life is treating the hearing loss you’re experiencing. Adding a hearing aid to your life can reacquaint you with things that have been missing for years. There are many benefits to treating hearing loss which include:
- Hearing nature’s sounds
- Hearing a grandchild’s first words
- Being able to comfortably attend dinners taking place in noisy environments
- Understanding conversation at parties
- Feeling safer in while traveling
- Hearing everything at a lecture or conference
Getting Help
Untreated hearing loss can affect the very young all the way to seniors. It is not always age specific. To figure out what help you need, you should schedule to see a hearing loss professional. They will help to determine the kind of hearing loss you are experiencing and to what degree. After this, they will suggest the kind of hearing device that will help you to live a happier and more fulfilled daily life.
If you believe that you or someone you love is suffering from loss of hearing (either known or untreated), take the first step today and contact a hearing loss professional. You will not regret this decision!
