Hearing allows you to connect with your loved ones, get involved at work and enjoy a better quality of life. With all the joy hearing can bring, it may surprise you to learn that only about one in five people with sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss seek help.
Many people avoid seeking treatment because they feel their hearing loss isn’t pronounced enough to require intervention. While it may feel easy to manage mild hearing loss on your own, untreated hearing loss can significantly impact your life. Let’s take a look at a few common side effects of untreated hearing loss and how seeking treatment can help.
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Health
In a twelve-year Johns Hopkins study of 639 adults, researchers discovered a significant link between hearing loss and dementia risk. They found that the lack of auditory input from mild hearing loss could double the risk of developing dementia, moderate hearing loss could triple it and severe hearing loss made patients five times more likely to develop the condition.
Your brain is a muscle. It requires stimulation to stay strong. Similar to how your legs may feel weak after skipping your daily Solvang Park run, your brain can weaken after losing auditory input. Hearing treatment can help give your brain the auditory input it needs to stay active. A 2023 study found that hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline in older adults by nearly 50% over a three-year period, underscoring the importance of treatment.
Hearing Loss and Social Isolation
One 2020 review of 14 studies revealed a strong link between hearing loss and increased loneliness and social isolation risk. With hearing loss, it can feel easier to pull away from social situations rather than struggle to understand those around you. This tendency towards social isolation can further affect your mental health—leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety.
Hearing Loss and Loss of Independence
Hearing loss increases your reliance on support systems. Small tasks like driving, grocery shopping and even ordering a cup of coffee can quickly feel out of reach. Hearing aids increase your independence by amplifying speech sounds and important background information. Using hearing aids and seeking support from one of our specialists can help you foster a greater sense of freedom and strong communication.
Don’t wait to take control of your hearing health. Contact Hearing Services of Santa Barbara to schedule a hearing test and consultation with one of our trusted specialists.
