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Hearing loss is a very common condition, affecting 466 million people worldwide. This makes the chance that hearing loss could affect you, very possible. If you do start to suspect you have hearing loss it is common to put off dealing with it. While this is a natural response, the sooner you address even mild cases of hearing loss, the better. Numerous studies show that people who address their hearing loss with hearing aids have a higher quality of life, allowing them to be happier, healthier and wealthier, in comparison to those who avoid treatment.
Quality of Life
Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organization as “individuals’ perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” Hearing loss can directly depreciate quality of life when it goes unaddressed. The issue is that many don’t realize they have an issue until it has already begun to degrade joy and the ability to achieve the goals they hope to attain. As hearing loss begins gradually details in conversation start to be missed and every day conversations become more and more difficult to follow. It is common to have to ask people to repeat themselves more and more regularly, adding to social anxiety and stress on both sides of a conversation. Things can be misheard and turn into significant misunderstandings.
These constant strains on conversations can affect an individual’s self-confidence, self-esteem and sense of independence. At home it can affect even your closest relationships. It is the casual conversation which builds intimacy. When you can no longer participate in casual banter, inside jokes and small talk, relationships in marriages and partnerships become strained.
The Emotional Impact
It is often certain tones or pitches that decline first with hearing loss. This can make listening, not only difficult, but exhausting. Over time, as hearing loss becomes more serious, it may seem easier to just stay at home rather than endure the stress of a strenuous conversation with hearing issues. This can lead to social anxiety, sleeplessness, chronic depression and self-isolation. The beauty of hearing aids is that they can make it easier for people with hearing loss to re-engage in social situations and refocus on building relationships. You will no longer need to strain to hear in most instances with amplified hearing, so you can focus on connection instead.
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
As you listen your brain strains to piece together sound with limited audio information. As hearing loss becomes more severe the amount of sound the brain receives becomes less and less. Mixed with self-isolation due to hearing loss, the brain may become under stimulated. Studies suggest that hearing loss may be a risk factor for dementia, a severe decline in memory or other thinking skills that interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday functions. This is one of the major reasons that it is important to detect and treat your hearing loss early. With hearing aids, you will not be forced to strain to hear. You can connect to others and engage in life, finding joy in the places you love to find it.
Hearing Loss, Earnings and Employment
Of the 48 million people in the US who have hearing loss, 60 percent are either in the workplace or an educational setting. This can cause noticeable complications for employees with unaddressed hearing loss. A 2016 study titled The Socioeconomic Impact of Hearing Loss in US Adults found that “Individuals with hearing loss had nearly two times higher odds of unemployment or underemployment than individuals with normal hearing.” Another study from the Better Hearing Institute, found that those with unaided hearing loss earned on average $20,000 less annually than those who wore hearing aids. Hearing loss is a recognized disability which is protected under the American disabilities act. However, if you are not aware, or open about your hearing loss then you cannot protect yourself in the workplace. The good news is that when you treat your hearing loss and are open to others about your condition your standing and earnings at work can improve significantly.
Act Today!
You have so much to gain from treating your hearing loss and so much to lose from ignoring the issue. To get the best quality of life possible, set up an appointment today to have your hearing tested. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get back to the life you love.