Loss of hearing – it’s normally perceived as a given as we get older. Many older Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears. But if it’s such an accepted condition, why is it that so many people deny that they deal with hearing loss?
A new study from Canada says that loss of hearing is experienced by over half of Canadians, but no concerns were reported at all by more than 77% percent of those. In the United States, more than 48 million individuals have some kind of hearing loss, but many do not try to address it. If this denial is deliberate or not is up for debate, but it’s still true that a considerable number of individuals allow their loss of hearing to go unchecked – which, later on, could bring about substantial problems.
Why is Loss of Hearing Missed by Some people?
It’s a tricky matter. It’s a gradual process when somebody loses their hearing, and some people might not even notice that they are having a more difficult time hearing things or understanding people than they once did. Or, more commonly, they could blame it on something else – they think that everyone is mumbling, the TV volume is too low, or there’s too much background noise. There are, unfortunately, numerous things that hearing loss can be blamed on, and people’s first instinct is not usually going to be to get examined or have a hearing test.
Conversely, there may be some individuals who know they’re suffering from hearing loss but won’t accept it. Another study conducted in the United States shows that lots of seniors flat out deny that they have a hearing issue. They hide their problem in any way they can, either they recognize a stigma surrounding hearing loss or because they don’t want to admit to having an issue.
The trouble with both of these scenarios is that by rejecting or not recognizing you have a problem hearing you could actually be negatively impacting your general health.
Neglected Hearing Loss Can Have a Debilitating Affect
Hearing loss does not exclusively affect your ears – it has been linked to different ailments like anxiety, cognitive decline, and depression, and it can also be a sign of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Research has demonstrated that people suffering from hearing loss commonly have shorter life expectancy rates and their level of health is not as good as others who have addressed their hearing loss with hearing aids, dietary changes, or cognitive behavioral treatment.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the signs of hearing loss – problems having conversations, cranking up the volume on the TV and radio, or a lingering humming or ringing in your ears.
What Can be Done About Loss of Hearing?
There are several treatments you can undertake to get your loss of hearing under control. Hearing aids are the form of treatment that is the most prevalent, and hearing aid tech has grown leaps and bounds over the last several years so it’s unlikely you’ll encounter the same problems your parents or grandparents did. Hearing aids can now filter out background noise and wind, while also wirelessly connecting to devices like your TV, tablet, or radio.
A dietary changes could affect the health of your hearing if you have anemia. Since anemia iron deficiency has been revealed to cause hearing loss, people who suffer from tinnitus can be helped by eating foods that are rich in iron.
Getting your hearing checked routinely, however, is the most important thing you can do.
Are you worried you could have hearing troubles? Visit us and get checked.