The effects of untreated hearing lossDid you know hearing loss is the second most common health issue globally? Only about 35% of people with hearing loss seek help, and on average, a person waits about 5 to 7 years to get hearing aids after they know they have hearing loss. There are many reasons why people delay the search for treatment: It is easier to deny the problem and think that others are just mumbling or speaking softly, or to think that it is age related and that they can wait to get hearing aids later. Some people remember their grandparents or friends having difficulties with the hearing aids, and that negative experience make them to feel insecure about wearing them. Unfortunately, some studies have shown serious negative social, psychological, and cognitive consequences of untreated hearing loss that can influence the quality of life. Likewise, hearing loss affects not only the person, but also the people around them, because of being frustrated trying to communicate properly. Social and Emotional consequences of Untreated Hearing loss:
Health Effects of the Untreated Hearing Loss: Hearing Loss is a problem that affects other aspects of our health. Acceleration of a Cognitive decline is one of them due to the deprivation of the brain of certain sounds that the person cannot hear well. Thus, the brain starts compensating with visual ques rather than sound ques so the part of the brain that analyzes the sound gets lazy, and these functions are taken by the part of the brain that analyzes the visual components. The lack of stimulation in certain parts of the brain will also contribute to memory difficulties that impact also the cognitive decline. Advantages of treating hearing loss using hearing aids:
If you identify with any of these effects that we have discussed above, you may need to seek help. Nowadays, technology has made possible to have discreet hearing aids that will help you to hear the sounds you have been missing. Each case is different, but the hearing care professional will give you all the information you need to make a great decision and guide you to make the process of getting adapted to the hearing aids as easy as possible. |