The probability of having to cope with hearing loss goes up as we get older. Millions are managing some amount of hearing loss. Regrettably, people suffering from hearing loss often wait seven years after the first symptoms show up before finding help.
Many older adult’s social life is negatively effected by neglected hearing loss. Warning signs include frequently asking people around you to repeat what they have said more slowly and loudly, as well as retreating from social circumstances because they find it challenging to communicate effectively.
You know your hearing is important. Our hearing empowers us. Our hearing lets us communicate with our loved ones, get out with our friends, and go to work. It also helps us remain connected to the outside world and keeps us safe. Our hearing even helps us relax. Sadly, we often take it for granted that we’ll always have strong hearing.
The majority of you will reach a point in your lives when your hearing begins to decline and it will have a physical and emotional effect on you. Your overall quality of life will be impacted. Hearing loss can even bring on feelings of isolation.
This is why acknowledging early warning signs and seeking assistance to find possible treatment options is crucial. Most forms of hearing loss, luckily, can be treated. You should schedule a consultation with a hearing professional if you find yourself disheartened about missing crucial conversations. Doing so will help you determine if your form and degree of hearing loss can be efficiently managed with hearing aids.
For those dealing with age-related hearing loss, research has shown that using hearing aids has many advantages, including improvements in the ability to hear in social situations and communicating with others. Hearing aids make it easier for older adults to continue their normal activities and interact socially with friends, family members, and the other people with whom they communicate each day.
Mental health issues including loss of memory, depression, failing mental cognition, and even the occurrence of Alzheimer’s have been associated with hearing loss in studies performed by Johns Hopkins University. These health problems can be avoided by managing hearing loss.
Personal relationships, especially with family and friends, rely heavily on communication. Hearing loss can result in miscommunication, frustration, and estrangement between family and friends.
Hearing loss also creates safety concerns. Using hearing aids will give you confidence that you will be capable of responding to important sounds and warnings that happen in your everyday life, including sirens, alarms, cell phones, oven timers, doorbells, car alarms, and horns, as well as other traffic noises that indicate approaching vehicles.
If you make mistakes at work and miss details it can have a serious impact on your income but wearing hearing aids can help you conquer these challenges.
It’s important that the person with hearing impairment take the initiative and schedule a hearing exam, but family members can also be a great help. If hearing loss is an issue for you, it’s time to get back to hearing all of those significant sounds in your life by getting a hearing exam and committing to treatment (like wearing your hearing aid regularly). Ultimately, it’s important to know that you aren’t by yourself. You can avoid feeling separated and return to socializing with your loved ones with some help from a hearing professional, hearing aids, and your family and friends.
