The World Health Organization estimates that 466 million people worldwide deal with some form of hearing loss making it the world’s 3rd most chronic health condition.
While age related hearing loss is one of the most common causes of this condition affecting 1 in three people over the age of 65, hearing loss creates hurdles for people of all ages. What makes hearing loss so serious is not just a loss of hearing but the major gaps in communication that ensue.
Untreated hearing loss has been connected to a strain in people’s closest relationships, depression, anxiety, self-isolation, lack of mobility, a greater risk for accidents and even dementia. While there is no cure for hearing loss, it can be treated with hearing aids, which amplify the sounds around you so you can hear with your existing hearing.
Hearing aids have been shown to help heal and lessen the risks associated with hearing loss but sadly only 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids actually make the choice to use them. Let’s explore some of the major reasons why people often avoid dealing with their hearing loss and why none of these excuses are serving you or the people who care about you.
Denial and shame
Even as it becomes harder and harder to hold conversations in person and over the phone, people still choose to ignore their hearing loss. Many feel that admitting hearing loss is a sign of aging they are just not ready to accept. The thing is, there is nothing that makes someone appear stereotypically older than having to ask people to repeat themselves over and over again!
Others feel that accepting their hearing loss is a sign of weakness when nothing could be further from the truth. When you take the leap to start dealing with your hearing issues, you are taking control of your life. The reality is, hearing loss is a very common condition that affects a large population of people worldwide! It’s nothing to be ashamed of and is more common than you think.
When you treat your hearing loss you can start to heal strained relationships, gain back your autonomy and make sure that you and everyone around you stay safer.
People often don’t realize they have hearing issues
The thing with hearing loss is that it tends to develop gradually, over time. It is often certain tones or pitches that degrade first making just some parts of speech hard to decipher. This leaves gaps in sound information that leads to communication break down and cognitive strain as your brain struggles to piece together missing parts of conversations.
Do you feel exhausted after a day of conversation? Do you find that you have to ask people to repeat themselves often? These are just some common signs that you might benefit from a hearing test. If you know the signs of hearing loss then you can be able to spot them in you and those you love. It’s important to deal with hearing loss as soon as possible to avoid the progression of its serious side effects.
Hearing aids take time to adjust to
Hearing aids have been proven time and time again to help mend relationships, help navigate conversation much easier and lead to a greater sense of independence.
Using hearing aids requires some patience. It takes a while for your brain to get used to hearing sounds that you may not have heard in a long time. Even the sound of your own voice may throw you off at first!
Give yourself time to adjust to hearing aids. It can take up to four months to get the most out of your hearing aids. Stick with it! The benefits are too great to give up!
The cost of untreated hearing loss
Hearing aids are a major investment in your mental and physical health, but one that is invaluable. Using hearing aids to treat hearing loss helps improve your relationships, your performance on the job, and your personal safety and security by reducing the risk for falls and accidents.
Once you understand that hearing aids can benefit various areas of your life, why put off a hearing test for another day? Make an appointment with us today to have your hearing tested. We look forward to hearing from you!
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