Paying your taxes late results in a penalty, and leaving your planning to the day before the party causes unnecessary stress, so why do so many people put off seeking help for medical issues when it will almost certainly make things worse? One of the most common conditions residents in the Bay Area avoid dealing with is hearing loss. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of treating your hearing loss early.
Consequences of Avoiding Treatment
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, on average, hearing aid users wait over 10 years after their initial diagnosis to be fit with their first set of hearing aids. This can be problematic for a number of reasons, as waiting long periods of time to address hearing loss can negatively impact the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals and their families.
In addition, untreated hearing loss has been linked with:
- Increase in social isolation, depression and anxiety.
- Decrease in self-efficiency and mastery.
- Increase in cognitive decline in elderly persons living independently.
- Increase in global brain atrophy, particularly in the temporal lobe.
Reasons to Seek Hearing Loss Treatment
Below is a look at our top reasons why you should seek help for your hearing loss at the first sign of trouble.
Improved Health and Safety
In addition to the risks associated with untreated hearing loss discussed above, living with hearing loss can put you at an increased risk of falling. Experts suspect falls occur more often in those with hearing loss because they do not have good awareness of their environment, which can make tripping over something more likely.
Reduced Fatigue
Those living with untreated hearing loss use up a lot of energy straining to hear. After spending an afternoon catching up with friends at Saint Frank Coffee, it is common to feel mentally and physically drained when you get home.
Improved Relationships
Hearing loss makes following and participating in conversations challenging. This can be especially problematic for the important people in your life, as effective communication is a crucial part of any stable relationship.
Quicker Adjustment
Hearing aids do not cure your hearing loss; instead they work by amplifying sounds to a degree you can hear. This may alter the way some things sound, making getting used to your hearing aids a process. Most people take about four months to acclimate to their hearing aids. Which means the sooner you start wearing the devices, the sooner they will become part of your normal routine.
To learn about more benefits of treating your hearing loss early or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, contact SH Audiology today.