Investing in your health by treating hearing loss offers life-changing benefits. Hearing loss impacts over 48 million people and thought is pervasive, it is widely undertreated. In fact, only a third of people who could benefit from treatment, actually receive it. Untreated hearing loss can take a toll on everyday life in significant ways. Impaired hearing reduces capacity to hear and process speech as well as sound. This makes hearing and communicating tough which are essential ways we navigate everyday life. Symptoms that remain untreated can strain relationships, work performance, social life, and health. Intervening early by treating symptoms not only improves hearing but overall health and quality of life.
Early Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a medical condition that often occurs gradually. Because symptoms happen over time, they can remain unnoticed for quite some time. It takes an average of 7 years for people to address their symptoms. Being able to recognize signs can help you identify the experience of hearing loss and support you taking action early. Common signs include:
- Tinnitus: a buzzing or ringing like noise in one or both ears.
- Sounds are distorted or muffled making it hard to hear individual words.
- Difficulty following conversations in places with background noise.
- Lip reading to help identify individual words.
- Pretending to hear, feeling lost during conversations.
- Turning up the volume on electronic devices like the TV or your phone.
- Being able to hear more clearly out of one ear compared to the other.
- Experiencing miscommunication.
- Frequently asking others to repeat what they said, speak louder, and/or slower.
- Needing to move to a quieter space to hear better.
- Saying “huh” or “what” in response to what others are saying.
- Not sharing your hearing challenges with loved ones.
These symptoms can be experienced mildly to profoundly, depending on the degree of hearing loss you are experiencing. Symptoms make it hard to engage in conversations and this often leads to people avoiding conversations as much as possible. This can look like keeping conversations short, skipping social gatherings, adn spending less time with loved ones. Social withdrawal is a major symptom of hearing loss.
This can contribute to depressive symptoms and affect relationships. Untreated hearing loss also increases a number of health risks including cognitive decline, accidental injuries, and falls. If you recognize any of these symptoms, it is important to have your hearing evaluated by a hearing healthcare specialist.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Treating hearing loss offers numerous benefits. There are effective treatment options and hearing solutions that transform hearing health and quality of life. Major benefits include:
- Strengthens communication: hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. These devices are designed to absorb and process speech and sound. This provides the ears and brain with ample support which makes it easier to hear. Hearing aids alleviate symptoms and maximize hearing capacity. This allows people to hear and communicate with greater ease. People are better able to participate in conversations which support effective communication.
- Improves relationships: strengthened communication also improves relationships. Treatment allows people to engage with others, participate in activities, and be present. People are more able to spend quality time with loved ones and have conversations smoothly. This supports connection and understanding which improves relationships.
- Enriches social life: hearing aids provide support in all environments and have features that specifically help in environments with background noise. This is especially helpful in social settings which tend to be noisier and more active. With hearing aids, people are better able to navigate conversations and spaces. People can fully engage in social activities and gatherings which enriches social life and connection.
- Supports overall health: treating hearing loss also reduces a number of health risks. Research shows that treatment reduces the risk of cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and falls. Hearing aids support spatial awareness, cognitive functions, and overall wellness.
These benefits allow people to live active and full lives that are not limited by hearing loss. This supports a greater quality of life, health, and happiness.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health Today
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing test. This is the first step towards transforming your health and daily life.