Between hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too simple to put off important appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You might not even get around to shopping for hearing aids at all. But hearing loss impacts more than only your ears and delaying treatment can have detrimental effects on your whole life.
Neglected hearing loss can lead to a greater risk of cognitive decline
A clear link between mental decline and neglected hearing loss has been established by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
Hearing loss will get worse if it goes untreated
If you care about your hearing health, it’s essential to never neglect any symptoms of hearing loss. You unintentionally cause more harm to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing test or hearing aids if you need them.
The progression of your hearing loss will be accelerated if you continuously need to crank up the volume on your devices. Hearing aids can increase specific frequencies of sound thereby delaying the advancement of hearing loss.
The link to mental function
There’s a close link between your sense of hearing and your brain. Research indicates that untreated hearing loss can have substantial repercussions on cognitive function. Social solitude, often a consequence of weakened hearing, can lead to mental health problems including depression and anxiety, which in turn can exacerbate mental decline over time.
Also, the recovery of healthy hearing function can be complicated because neglected hearing loss will force the brain to adjust by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. The brain will have a difficult time reverting back to its previous state after it rewires itself to accommodate for extended untreated hearing loss.
But it is possible to reverse this effect. Despite previous delays in seeking treatment, utilizing hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still deliver substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Make an appointment with a hearing specialist
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy better hearing and stronger cognitive function, call us today for an assessment!
