You can end up in the hospital if you don’t correctly manage your hearing loss symptoms. 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 someone is saying at worst
But the long-term health effects of untreated hearing loss is beginning to get serious attention from researchers.
How is Your Health Related to Hearing Loss?
At first glance, hearing loss doesn’t appear to have much to do with other health concerns. But research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that over time, hospital visits can increase by as much as 50% for somebody with untreated hearing loss. The longer the hearing loss goes unmanaged, the more significant the health havoc get.
That’s a puzzling finding: what does hearing have to do with your general health? That question can have a complicated answer.
The Connection Between Mental Health And Hearing
Here are a number of the health problems linked to hearing loss:
- Loss of balance. Hearing loss can make it harder to keep your balance and maintain situational focus.
- You begin to lose your memory. As a matter of fact, your odds of developing dementia is twice as high with untreated hearing loss.
- Higher instance of depression and anxiety. Simply stated, untreated hearing loss can increase anxiety and depression, which in turn can have a powerfully negative impact on your physical body, to say nothing of your mental health.
Hearing Aids Really Help
It’s not all gloom and doom, though. Far from it. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School research indicates that up to 75% of the mental decline connected to hearing loss can be halted by one simple solution: wearing a hearing aid.
Wearing a hearing aid has a profound impact on mitigating the dangers associated with untreated hearing loss. The following improvements were noted in people who wore hearing aids for as little as two weeks:
- Brain function improvements.
- Balance and awareness improvements.
- Severe brain injury reductions.
Over a period of around two decades, Johns Hopkins accumulated and examined data from more than 77,000 people. And the conclusion is surprisingly simple: protecting your hearing is crucial to preserving your health. Being sick can be costly, so taking care of your hearing also protects your financial well being.
Preserving Your Hearing And Your Health
Hearing loss is not exclusive to the aging process but it is a part of it. Due to accidents, disease, and occupational hazards, hearing loss can occur 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.