If you’re not treating your symptoms properly, hearing loss can put you in the hospital. You may think that this is somewhat of an exaggeration. Most people think of hearing loss as an inconvenience that makes it hard to hear the TV or what somebody is saying at worst.
But the long-term health impacts of untreated hearing loss is beginning to get significant attention from researchers.
What Does Hearing Loss Have to do With Your Health?
At first sight, hearing loss doesn’t appear to have much to do with other health indicators. But research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that neglected hearing loss can result in a 50% increase in visits to the hospital over time. The longer the hearing loss remains untreated, the more severe the health troubles get.
That’s a puzzling finding: what does hearing have to do with your general health? The answer is complicated.
The Connection Between Mental Health And Hearing
Here are a few of the health issues connected to hearing loss:
- Memory can start to fail. In fact, your odds of developing dementia double with neglected hearing loss.
- Balance balance issues. Hearing loss can make it more difficult to keep your balance and maintain situational awareness.
- Higher instance of anxiety and depression. Simply stated, untreated hearing loss can increase anxiety and depression, which will then have a powerfully negative impact on your physical body, to say nothing of your mental health.
Hearing Aids Really Help
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Far from it. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School research suggests that up to 75% of the cognitive decline linked to hearing loss can be halted by one basic solution: using a hearing aid.
Wearing a hearing aid has a powerful impact on mitigating the risks connected to neglected hearing loss. The following improvements were noted in individuals who wore hearing aids for as little as two weeks:
- Improvements in balance and awareness.
- Improvements in brain function.
- Reductions in severe brain injuries.
Over a period of around twenty years, Johns Hopkins accumulated and analyzed data from over 77,000 individuals. And a critical part of preserving your health lies in protecting your hearing which is a staggering outcome. Being sick usually costs money, so caring for your hearing also protects your financial well being.
Preserving Your Hearing And Your Health
Hearing loss is a perfectly typical part of getting older, although it’s not exclusive to getting older. Due to accidents, disease, and occupational hazards, hearing loss can develop regardless of how old you are.
However, it’s important to acknowledge any hearing loss you may be experiencing. Your health could depend on it.