Hearing and Health
Approximately 48 million people have hearing loss to some degree and many individuals wait an average of 10 years before seeking help. When left untreated, hearing loss can have a negative impact on overall health and well-being. Research has shown that hearing loss is connected to depression, social isolation, an increase in falls, and cognitive decline.
To maintain good overall health, it’s important to have your hearing checked on a regular basis, especially if you are over the age of 60.
Signs of Hearing Loss
The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which often occurs as a result of age. With sensorineural hearing loss, the hair cells in the inner ear which are responsible for transmitting sounds to the brain begin to naturally deteriorate. This occurs over the course of several years, making it difficult to recognize a hearing problem right away.
Here are some common signs of hearing loss you should be aware of:
- Sounds seem muffled
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
- You turn the TV volume up louder than others like
- It seems like the people around you mumble
- You feel tired after conversations
Hearing and Brain Health
Did you know your hearing is directly connected to your brain health? We don’t actually hear with our ears, we “hear” when sound reaches the auditory cortex of the brain. In the brain is where sounds are processed into information and used as a stimulant for good cognitive health.
When left untreated, hearing loss makes it harder for the brain to receive the sound information it needs to stay active. The brain also has to work harder just to understand the little it can hear. This can lead to listening fatigue, social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline.
How to Manage Hearing Loss
If you are not hearing well due to hearing loss, there are management options available. Hearing aids are a great solution as they are fine-tuned to meet your exact hearing prescription. Not only do hearing aids amplify the sounds around you, but they also provide clarity and can filter out background noise.
It’s best to manage hearing loss at the first signs, so it doesn’t affect your overall health or cognitive abilities. Our audiology specialist can help you by diagnosing hearing loss and recommending the right hearing aid.
