December 30, 2021
Start the New Year by committing to better hearing. The New Year offers a fresh start that can kick off a new chapter of prioritizing your hearing health and wellness. You can do this by taking the simple first step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. Contact Clear Hearing and Audiology today to get started on this transformative health journey.
Understanding Hearing Loss
Nearly 1 in 6 people have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a chronic medical condition that reduces a person’s ability to perceive and process sound. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors including aging, environmental exposure to loud noise, existing medical conditions, head/neck injuries, chronic ear infections, and inner ear disorders. Hearing loss produces a wide range of symptoms that make it challenging to hear and navigate conversations. Strained communication often has multifaceted effects – social withdrawal, deteriorating relationships, health decline, and reduced work performance.
Though hearing loss is a pervasive health issue that impacts all aspects of daily life, it is often undertreated. A few factors contribute to a delay in treatment:
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Hearing loss typically occurs gradually so it can remain unnoticed for a longer period.
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People often assume that hearing loss is not a serious enough condition that requires immediate attention.
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It can be difficult to acknowledge health changes.
It is important to know that untreated hearing loss can increase health risks and also worsen hearing impairment. This exacerbates the effects of hearing loss which can take a toll on health and wellness. Treating hearing loss as early as possible can profoundly support the transition into better hearing health and overall wellness.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Hearing is key to holistic health and wellness. Treating hearing loss offers countless benefits that improve health, relationships, and work-life. The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids are more innovative and advanced than ever before. These devices are designed to absorb, amplify, and process sound which provides the auditory system with significant support that maximizes hearing capacity. This results in numerous benefits including:
1. Health Benefits
Hearing is deeply connected to other aspects of health. Untreated hearing loss increases the risk of experiencing other health complications. This includes developing conditions characterized by a cognitive decline (dementia), experiencing depressive symptoms, and accidental injuries. Treating hearing loss alleviates these health risks by significantly improving hearing and communication. Hearing aids provide the ears and brain with substantial hearing support. This strengthens (rather than deteriorates) cognitive functions, improving brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, hearing aids increase spatial awareness as people are better able to navigate environments and detect hazards which increases safety – reducing the risk of falls and accidental injuries.
2. Social Benefits
Communication is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and social connections. Untreated hearing loss strains communication which can often lead to avoiding engaging with others altogether. Social withdrawal is a major effect of untreated hearing loss which can lead to deteriorating relationships and social life. Hearing aids support hearing in all types of environments including social settings. This allows people to engage with others, participate in activities, and have conversations with much more capacity. Treatment supports an active social life as well as improves relationships by enhancing communication.
3. Work-Life Benefits
Communication is also critical in the workplace. Having a tough time hearing others can impact productivity by making it more challenging to manage and complete tasks. Research has shown that untreated hearing loss can contribute to unemployment as well as reduced earning potential compared to those with normal hearing. Treating hearing loss alleviates this by transforming hearing and communication. With hearing aids, people can move through the workplace and manage responsibilities with greater ease. Studies have shown that hearing aids can drastically close income-earning gaps and help people excel in the workplace.
Commit to Better Hearing Today
The New Year is the perfect opportunity to prioritize your hearing health. Clear Hearing and Audiology is committed to helping you do this by providing individualized and expert informed care. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!