How Hearing Loss Effects Your Health
If you suffer from hearing loss, it can change the way you think, the way you feel and the way you interact with those around you. Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive, emotional and behavioural deficits that can impact you for the rest of your life. Hearing is not a “nice have”; it’s a “health must.”
Cognitively Speaking
Healthy hearing is vital to our cognitive health and brain function. When speech is unclear, your brain has to work on overdrive to fill in the missing words. Over time, this stress on your brain takes a toll on your cognitive functioning. This can lead to exhaustion, poor sleep and irritability, and also puts you at risk for developing dementia related illnesses. Treating hearing loss with a hearing aid can be used to help decrease the stress on your brain, and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Listen to Your Body
Hearing loss can affect your physical health and overall wellbeing, making you more prone to illness and accidents. Mild hearing loss nearly triples your risk of falling from the lack of sound to maintain balance, and the inability to hear warning signals. Hearing loss can also cause loneliness, isolation, and even depression because social interaction can be embarrassing and exhausting. Not being able to hear and participate in conversations can cause people to withdraw from social situations they once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing.
Pay attention to even the smallest hint of hearing difficulty and seek treatment. Early signs include: muffled speech, difficulty hearing in groups, ringing in the ears, and asking for frequent repetition.
Risk Factors
Did you know that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes or prediabetes? Certain medications can also cause temporary or permanent hearing damage.The usual culprits include salicylate pain relievers, quinine and loop diuretics. Some people also experience hearing loss while taking aminoglycoside antibiotics, or receiving chemotherapy.
Hear It From The Experts
Knowledge is the key to preventing illnesses related to hearing loss. It’s also the best way to ease any apprehension and dispel myths you may have about hearing healthcare. The Auburn & Mountain Audiologist team will share information on how certain heath issues, including dementia related illnesses, can be related to hearing loss.
Auburn & Mountain Hearing Centres provide a variety of hearing healthcare for adults and children. Services include hearing tests, central auditory processing tests (CAPs), balance assessments, rehabilitation, education and counselling. The clinic fits and dispenses advanced hearing aids as well as provides repair services for all makes and models. Auburn & Mountain Hearing operates five award-winning clinics across Southwestern Ontario.
Hearing Aids Starting at only $450/each Free Hearing Screenings, no referral necessary All Hearing Aids legally prescribed by Hamilton’s First Doctor of Audiology