When you can’t hear well, your daily life is likely to be impacted in many different ways. Below we review some of the ways untreated hearing loss can affect you and how hearing aids can help.
Relationships
Any relationship counselor will tell you the key to healthy relationships is good communication. When you cannot hear or understand what your partner is saying, it can affect your ability to communicate on all levels, from the little inside jokes to big, important topics. In addition, if you can’t talk on the phone well enough to schedule your own appointments or hear the doorbell or other household alarms, your partner may have to take on extra responsibilities. All these factors can lead to resentment in a relationship. Hearing aids can help you be more attuned to your partner’s needs and household duties, strengthening your relationship.
Work
If you have untreated hearing loss, it doesn’t just affect your relationship with your partner, but also the people you work with. One article by the Better Hearing Institute reports that, “In a survey of more than 40,000 households utilizing the National Family Opinion panel, hearing loss was shown to negatively impact household income on-average up to $12,000 per year depending on the degree of hearing loss.” However, the article goes on to mention, “Use of hearing instruments was shown to mitigate the effects of hearing loss by 50%.”
Mental Health
Untreated hearing loss can also impact your mental health. This is because, if you cannot hear well you may feel anxious about interactions at Scooter’s Coffee in Bellevue and other social situations, causing you to become socially withdrawn. Social withdrawal is a well-known risk factor for depression and even dementia. Fortunately, one study has found hearing aids can prevent or delay a diagnosis of anxiety, depression and cognitive decline.
Balance
Research by Johns Hopkins uncovered that those with untreated hearing loss have a greater risk of experiencing falls. In fact, those with just a mild hearing loss have a three-fold risk of falling compared to those with normal hearing. The good news is, researchers speculate that treating hearing loss with hearing aids can help keep you oriented toward your surroundings, preventing falls.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Ear Specialists of Omaha & Bellevue today.