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This is the time of year where it is common to reflect and set new goals. Making health-related goals for the New Year is a great way to prioritize wellness and mark a fresh start. If you have noticed any changes with your hearing, the new year is the perfect time to commit to better hearing!
Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
Nearly 1 in 6 people have some degree of hearing loss, a medical condition that impacts an estimated 48 million people. Though hearing loss is pervasive, it often remains underdiagnosed. It takes an average of 7 years for people to address hearing loss from the time they first start experiencing symptoms. This delay in treatment has major effects on all aspects of life and can impact health in a variety of ways. This includes:
- Strained communication: untreated hearing loss produces a range of symptoms that make it challenging to participate in conversations. This includes tinnitus (buzzing or ringing noise in the ears), speech and sound being distorted, difficulty hearing in environments with background noise, needing others to speak louder or slower, etc. These symptoms can be experienced mildly or profoundly, limiting a person’s capacity to participate in and navigate conversations.
- Social withdrawal: strained communication makes it challenging to have conversations so people experiencing untreated hearing loss often avoid social interactions. Social withdrawal is a common effect of hearing loss which means spending less time with loved ones, participating in favorite activities, and attending social events. Social withdrawal not only impacts relationships but also wellness.
- The toll on relationships: clear and effective communication is necessary to sustain relationships. Untreated hearing loss produces symptoms that can be barriers that prevent smooth and easy conversations. People often report feeling unheard of or ignored by their loved ones with hearing loss. This can create tension, distance, and frustration between people; impacting connection and quality time.
- Overall health decline: strained communication and relationships, as well as social withdrawal, impacts health in several ways. It can take a toll on mental health by contributing to loneliness and stress. Untreated hearing loss also increases the risk of experiencing other health conditions including cognitive decline, depression, and accidental injuries.
Untreated hearing loss and its impact can disrupt daily life and take a toll on health and happiness. Seeking treatment not only alleviates symptoms but transforms health in ways that enhance all aspects of life.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Treating hearing loss offers countless life-changing benefits. The most common treatment for impaired hearing is hearing aids – electronic devices that help absorb and process sound. This provides significant support and maximizes hearing capacity. Major benefits of treatment include:
- Effective communication. Hearing aids alleviate symptoms that make conversations challenging. Additionally, these devices support hearing across all environments which allows people to navigate a range of settings with greater ease. Having conversations becomes easier as people have a greater capacity to hear and respond effectively.
- Improves relationships. Strengthened communication also nurtures relationships. With hearing aids, people are more tuned into conversations and can be more present. This enables people to spend quality time with friends and family as well as fully participate in conversations. Hearing jokes, fully understanding everything being shared, and responding with ease nurtures intimacy and closeness; improving relationships.
- Supports active social life. Social withdrawal is a common symptom of untreated hearing loss. Hearing aids address this by providing ample hearing support, allowing people to navigate social settings without the burden and stress of symptoms. People can interact with others and navigate social activities with greater confidence and awareness.
- Strengthens health. Treating hearing loss improves health in a variety of ways. Hearing aids strengthen cognitive functions, improving brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. These devices also maximize hearing capacity by helping the auditory system process speech and sound; this increases spatial awareness and safety. Also, enriched social life and improved relationships enhance mental health.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health Today
The New Year is a fantastic opportunity to commit to your hearing health. Our practice specializes in providing comprehensive services and individualized care that is invested in transforming your health. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.