Untreated Hearing Loss Can Cause Mayhem With Your Health

Did you know that only 20% of those who need hearing treatment actually seek help? Whether that means they refuse to visit the audiologist or don’t wear their hearing aids properly, a large percentage of the world’s population deal with hearing loss as opposed to finding a practical solution.

While hearing loss may start off as a minuscule problem or a bit of an annoyance, it’s vital that you seek help sooner rather than later. This is due to the fact that untreated hearing loss can cause mayhem with your health, leading to a lot of trouble further down the line. As such, it’s important that you address these issues before they are given a chance to develop or worsen.

Hearing Loss May Be a Sign of Other Health Complications

There are various different causes of hearing loss. As the older population tends to deal with these issues more frequently than their younger counterparts, most hearing loss can be attributed to general aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, hearing loss of any severity is sometimes indicative of other more complicated health issues.

For example, this could include circulatory problems, diabetes, or even heart or kidney disease. As you can imagine, it’s vital that these conditions are identified sooner rather than later – and an appointment with an audiologist can get you on the right track to receiving any treatment you may require.

Hearing Loss Can Lead to Extreme Fatigue

Those dealing with hearing loss are also much more likely to deal with extreme fatigue. This is because they often have to try much harder to stay up to date with daily activities, especially if they are finding it difficult to communicate with those around them. While fatigue may not seem like much of an issue, it can have long-term effects on your overall health and happiness.

For example, it can even weaken your immune system or leave you more vulnerable to extreme levels of stress. Both of these factors can impact your ability to carry out your day-to-day activities, particularly in the workplace.

Hearing Loss Can Lead to Cognitive Decline

There are various studies in place that explore the impact that hearing loss has on our cognitive abilities – many of which seem to suggest that untreated hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline. In fact, the American Speech and Language Association recently published a report that indicated that untreated hearing loss could significantly increase the chances of the individual dealing with dementia.

It is thought the link between cognitive decline and hearing loss is caused by a faster rate of atrophy in the brain. Untreated hearing loss also impacts a person’s ability to communicate, which can again lead to cognitive decline, especially over long periods of time.

Hearing Loss Can Negatively Impact Your Mental Health

Untreated hearing loss does not only impact your physical but your mental health too. In fact, those who experience hearing loss are more likely to deal with mental health complications such as depression and anxiety. They are also more likely to isolate themselves from others, as they struggle to communicate in the same way they had done previously. The more they continue to isolate themselves, the easier it is for mental health conditions to take hold.

What Should I Do If I Am Dealing with Untreated Hearing Loss?

The easy answer to this question is to simply seek treatment. While there are various different underlying causes for hearing loss, there are also plenty of solutions in place – such as hearing aids. Despite the stigma surrounding wearing hearing aids, many users report an increase in their health and happiness when they begin to wear them. Furthermore, they are now much smaller than in previous years, meaning that those around you may not even be aware of the fact that you are wearing hearing aids at all.

If you aren’t sure where to get started, then why not get in touch today with Grusecki Audiology? You can call us today at 623-583-1737, in-store or online – and we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about hearing loss, hearing aids or general ear care and health. No question is too big or too small – we’re here to put your mind at ease in any way we can.