Why You Should Not Put Off Hearing Loss Treatment

Reviewed by Dr. Porter on October 24, 2018

The average person waits seven years before making an audiology appointment to address their hearing loss.

Those years spent avoiding treatment can lead to a host of other health and personal problems. Harbor Audiology & Hearing Services offers a variety of hearing aids and services. Here are some reasons you should not put off a visit with an audiologist:

• Cognitive decline:
  When your brain isn’t properly processing sounds, parts of it will shrink and die off. Studies show that hearing loss causes the brain to reassign portions dedicated to hearing to other senses, including vision and touch. These individuals also lose more than one extra cubic centimeter of brain tissue each year, according to research from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging.
• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:
  Studies have also shown a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The treatment of hearing loss is believed to be a way to lessen the risk of developing these conditions.
• Relationship woes:
  Hearing loss can hurt more than just the person experiencing it. It can affect the person’s relationships with romantic partners, family and friends, leading to feelings of loneliness, resentment and frustration. Studies have found the communication problems caused by hearing loss can increase the risk of divorce.
• Falls:
  Many people don’t realize that hearing loss can affect the vestibular system – responsible for one’s sense of balance. A disruption in the system can lead to an increased risk of injury from falling. A Johns Hopkins study discovered even slight levels of hearing loss could triple the risk of falls, which are the leading cause of accidental death for senior citizens.
• Listening fatigue:
  Working excessively hard to hear is taxing on the brain and can lead to listener fatigue. Hearing aids can typically help ease your brain’s workload.

To learn more about how Harbor Audiology & Hearing Services can help address hearing loss, call us at one of our four locations in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Silverdale and Sequim, Washington or request an appointment online.

Categorised in: Hearing Loss Treatment