Treating Hearing Loss Helps You Stay Socially Connected

Treating Hearing Loss Helps You Stay Socially Connected

Dealing with hearing loss isn’t easy, but the truth is ignoring a hearing problem ends up being much harder. Untreated hearing loss is directly linked to a whole range of health problems, from increased rates of heart disease to a greater likelihood of dementia. Some of the most immediate and damaging effects of untreated hearing loss impact our quality of life. When hearing loss goes unchecked, it takes a toll on our ability to communicate with others and can sever even our closest social ties. The incidence of anxiety, depression and social isolation are all much higher for people with untreated hearing loss.

Hearing Is Key

Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize just how much our hearing means to us, but recognizing a hearing issue is the first step towards finding treatment. Your hearing loss affects you, and it also affects the people you interact with especially the family and friends closest to you. When hearing is an issue, often both parties in a conversation feel misunderstood. When unchecked, these gaps in communication can deepen until the human connection is strained.

Similarly, we use our hearing every day to find our way around in the world. When you have hearing loss, finding the way through a busy airport or socializing at a noisy party can become confusing and difficult. With untreated hearing loss, following a sports game or taking in a concert can seem draining. Places with a lot of sound can be daunting and that can make it hard to enjoy activities that once made up the heart of your social life.

Isolation Is A Health Issue

Social isolation is a health issue, and it is as taxing on the body as smoking cigarettes. Although many people equate isolation with loneliness, isolation is an objective measurement of social connection, while loneliness is the subjective perception of a lack of connection. When examining a patient’s feelings of loneliness, a health care provider often discovers eroded social networks and isolation.

Today, isolation affects 8 million people over age 50 and that statistic is growing. Social isolation is often compounded by multiple factors. Hearing loss may make communication difficult, while limited transportation and retirement from the workforce can simultaneously make connection more challenging. A lack of social programs and opportunities for aging people also compounds isolation.

Treating Hearing Loss Can Help

When it is left unchecked and untreated, hearing loss can wreck havoc on your life. Fortunately, hearing aids and assistive devices can help people rehabilitate their hearing and stay involved in their social network.

The key is to seek help when you notice an issue with your hearing. The earlier hearing loss is detected, the easier it is for your hearing to adapt to hearing treatment. When left untreated, hearing impairment not only worsens, it fundamentally changes the way the brain interprets sound. This means the longer hearing loss goes unaddressed, the farther our hearing ability shifts away from its natural patterns.

Even if you have hearing loss that has gone untreated, hearing therapies and devices can still help. Hearing aids today are discreet and powerful sound processors that can enhance hearing ability for most people. Regaining hearing ability boosts communication, connection and confidence.

Similarly, hearing loss places tremendous burdens on our cognitive abilities, overtaxing the brain and shortchanging other important functions like coordination and balance. When we treat hearing loss it opens up room in our life and in our mind for people and connection. Hearing therapies also make it easier to connect to the social activities we most enjoy. Many modern hearing aids can be programmed to adjust to loud and complicated sound-scapes to help you find the conversations and information you care most about. New hearing aids often have options for streaming sound directly from digital smart devices directly into your ear canal making phone and video calls easier than ever to follow.

Desert Valley Audiology

What should you do when you recognize a hearing problem? Setting up an exam with Desert Valley Audiology should be your first move. With thorough testing we can get to the bottom of your hearing issues and help you connect with the right solutions. Our team of hearing specialists is here to help you hear your absolute best and stay connected to the most important people in your life.