Know the Signs – Don’t suffer the consequences of untreated hearing loss

The signs and symptoms of hearing loss are important to understand. The symptoms could easily go unnoticed if they occur gradually. Don’t let yourself or a loved one suffer with the consequences of untreated hearing loss.

Know the signs of hearing loss:

• Asking others to repeat themselves or to speak more slowly
• Listening to the TV or media devices too loud for others
• Trouble hearing higher frequencies, such as the voices of women and children
• Issues hearing in crowded spaces, like restaurants and social events
• Thinking others are mumbling
• Difficulty hearing on the phone
• Frequently unsure of what direction a sound is coming from
• Difficulty hearing sounds, like a car’s turn signal, beeping of timers, or birds chirping
• Ringing in the ears or symptoms of tinnitus

Tinnitus is most often described as a roaring, humming, buzzing, or ringing in the ear and occurs with no external source of sound. Several issues can be factor of tinnitus, such as hypertension, stress, anemia, excessive caffeine and cigarette use, certain medications and prolonged noise exposure often related to employment or military environments.

It is important to consult with a doctor if a person experiences a sudden onset of tinnitus or the symptoms of tinnitus.

Hearing loss can be devastating for an individual and their family if left untreated. Knowing the signs of hearing loss can make a difference in quality of life or managing a health condition, such as diabetes and pre-diabetes. A few consequences of untreated hearing loss can include:

• Social isolation and withdrawal
• Depression and anxiety
• Communication issues
• Cognitive decline, including dementia
• Decline in self-esteem
• Economic and educational disadvantage
• Balance issues

There are other conditions that can be affected by hearing loss, including balance problems. People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falls and injuries. The more severe the hearing loss the greater the risk becomes.

Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage in parts of the ear, including the nerves and small blood vessels in the inner ear. Low blood sugar levels also can cause damage in how the nerve signals travel from the inner ear to the brain.

Seniors who have untreated hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  

The recent information about the study explains where the science is headed and the possible connections between hearing loss and dementia. –  “The latest aging research not only shows the two are connected, it’s also leading scientists to believe that hearing loss may actually be a cause of dementia.”

The brain must work harder when an individual has untreated hearing loss. Straining to understand speech and fill in the gaps of missing or unheard words “comes at the expense of other thinking and memory systems.”

If a simple intervention, like properly prescribed hearing aids could delay or eliminate one of the possible causes of dementia, isn’t it worth it to explore the options? Your quality of life and independent living longevity are too important to put your hearing health off any longer.

The best way to discover just how discreet and powerful modern hearing aids can be is to try them out. You might be surprised how they look, feel and sound!

 CLICK HERE to book an appointment for a complimentary hearing and lifestyle evaluation!