Amidst hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too easy to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You may even find yourself hesitating to order hearing aids altogether. But hearing loss impacts more than only your ears and delaying treatment can have negative effects on your entire life.
Untreated hearing loss can result in a higher risk of mental decline
Scientists have demonstrated a clear connection between untreated hearing loss and mental decline. This underscores the critical importance of not delaying treatment, as it can have adverse effects on your mental function also.
The impact on hearing
If you care about the health of your hearing, it’s essential to never disregard any symptoms of hearing loss. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or delaying the purchase of hearing aids, you inadvertently subject your ears to further damage.
You may find yourself constantly boosting the volume on your various devices, exacerbating the damage to your ears and speeding up the progression of hearing loss. Wearing a hearing aid can help mitigate this by selectively amplifying particular frequencies, thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The link between neglected hearing loss and mental function
There’s a direct connection between your sense of hearing and your brain. Research indicates that neglected hearing loss can have significant consequences on mental function. Social solitude, often a consequence of diminished hearing, can result in mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, which in turn can exacerbate mental decline over time.
Also, the restoration of normal 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
The brain’s amazing ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this situation. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, sustained neglected hearing loss can lead to considerable rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to return to previous functionality.
However, it’s not impossible to undo these effects. In both the short and the long term, making use of hearing aids can bring considerable benefits even if you’ve held off on getting treatment for some time.
Call us for an appointment
While quick treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy improved hearing and stronger cognitive function, call us today for an assessment!