Simply ignoring your problem and hoping it goes away on its own never works. This is especially true for those living with untreated hearing loss. While you may have been able to convince yourself that everything is fine, it turns out that hearing plays a large role in many issues that affect your quality of life.
Below are five reasons why you should stop ignoring your hearing loss and seek treatment.
Improve Your Physical Health
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries amount older Americans, according to the National Council on Aging.
Research published in 2012 from John Hopkins Medicine found that people with hearing loss were three times more likely to fall than those with normal hearing.
Another study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine determined that older adults who treated their hearing loss with the use of hearing aids improved their balance, thus reducing their risk of falls.
Improved Mental Health
Untreated treated hearing loss has been linked to depression, anxiety, dementia and a number of other issues related to mental decline. A study conducted by John Hopkins Medicine looked at participants with hearing loss over six years. They found that their cognitive abilities declined 30 to 40 percent faster than those with normal hearing.
On the other side of the spectrum, a 2015 study found that those who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids reduced their risk of cognitive decline.
Improved Career Growth
Studies have found that untreated hearing loss can have a real impact on your career growth and corresponding compensation. One study found that those with hearing loss saw a decrease in their income of up to $30,000 annually and were twice as likely to be unemployed as those with normal hearing.
Another study reported that participants who opted to use hearing aids to treat their hearing loss reduced their risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent. Participants also stated that hearing aids helped them perform better at work.
Improved Safety
Not being able to hear warning signs, such as car horns, alarms and a person yelling can put you in danger. Seeking treatment for your hearing loss can enhance your awareness of your surroundings.
Improved Relationships
Untreated hearing loss can make it challenging to participate in group events, which can lead to social isolation. Unfortunately, withdrawing from your friends and family has been linked to an increase in depression, illness, exhaustion and even a decrease in lifespan.
Hearing aids can give you the confidence to participate in activities you once enjoyed and spend time with loved ones.
To learn more about how you can improve your quality of life through the use of hearing aids, contact the experts at Audiology Center Northwest today.