The most obvious, and perhaps most important, benefit of treating hearing loss is to maintain connections with the people in your life, from acquaintances and coworkers to those closest to you. Whether conducting a meeting at work, following a funny anecdote at dinner parties, or sharing a deep late-night talk with a loved one, all conversations are essential to making us feel connected.
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased isolation and social withdrawal. People with untreated hearing loss are more likely to avoid social settings, due to difficulties with communication. This could cause a strain on your most important relationships. Often, the hearing partner bears the burden of helping the hard-of-hearing partner understand what is being said to them, while at the same time struggling to communicate and enjoy activities with the person they love most. Treating hearing loss can help to repair the bonds in a relationship and restore those all-important channels of communication.
Research shows that while untreated hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline, treating hearing loss can actually delay the onset of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. When it comes to hearing loss and the brain, the earlier you start to get treatment, the better.
Our ears keep us safe in a number of ways, from alerting us to a car coming around a corner to letting us know that the oven timer is beeping. Treating hearing loss with the use of hearing aids has been proven to increase personal safety both at home and out in the world. Improved hearing can even reduce the risk of falls and other accidents.
The psychological side effects of untreated hearing loss are well known: increased stress, anxiety and isolation, sometimes leading to serious depression. Social isolation, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Being able to hear and communicate again can restore mental well-being and has been shown to increase contentment and happiness.
Studies show that people who actively treat their hearing loss venture farther away from their homes more frequently than those with untreated loss. This is especially true for seniors, who may have other limitations to their mobility such as joint pain. Mobility is crucial–not only in terms of staying fit, but also in regard to overall quality of life.
Untreated hearing loss leads to diminished access to the rich tapestry of sounds in our world. People with untreated hearing loss may miss out sound sounds like the chirping of birds, rain falling on the roof, or the rustling of the wind. These sounds–even the buzzing of a fridge–help us to connect with and enjoy the world around us, and without them, life can seem eerily isolating. Treating hearing loss is not just about conversations; the soundtrack playing in the background is also essential to our quality of life.
Tinnitus is a condition in which buzzing or ringing can be heard in one or both ears and is strongly associated with hearing loss. Oftentimes, treating hearing loss can reduce the annoyance of this troublesome condition, and if more relief is needed, many hearing aids come with advanced tinnitus treatment programs.
People with untreated hearing loss, especially when the loss is severe, tend to withdraw from the social events, sports, and hobbies they once loved. The sooner you treat your hearing the sooner you can start engaging in life to its fullest again. Treating hearing loss with the use of hearing aids makes it possible to re-engage with those activities that make life fun and exciting!
Treating your hearing loss can improve your earning power at work. With untreated hearing loss, difficulties with communication may appear as though you are ignoring a supervisor’s or customer’s request and could result in poor work performance. Being able to hear coworkers, managers, and background noises is essential in the workplace, not only for performing your job well, but also for keeping yourself and those around you safe. To stay competitive in the workforce, make sure your hearing is in the best shape possible.