Inability to hear is not the only effect of hearing loss, it can also have a serious impact on your overall life. Relationships can be strained and day-to-day tasks can be interrupted by loss of hearing.
A survey conducted by AARP found that untreated hearing loss had a more significant effect on quality of life than:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Obesity
There are a lot of people who don’t seek help with their hearing loss despite the fact that it negatively impacts their lifestyle. A lot of people who suffer from hearing loss avoid getting help because they believe that there is a stigma associated with hearing loss, according to researchers. Being treated differently is one reason people with hearing loss are scared to let anyone know they can’t hear that well. This perception can change how they view themselves whether they are young or old.
Many Others Also Have Hearing Loss
As lifespans grow longer, hearing loss has become more commonplace, in spite of the fact that it can affect people of every age group, The World Health Organization reports that there are more than 1.1 billion people, a lot of them young adults, in danger of hearing loss and the public perception that comes with it. Hearing loss is, in fact, one of a young adult’s greatest health threats. Even as the number of people who have hearing loss continues to grow, the resistance to seeking help for hearing loss seems to persist. What is the impact on general health?
What is The Perception of Hearing Loss?
A brand that marks someone as inferior is how sufferers of hearing loss feel and that is the meaning of stigma. Lots of people with hearing loss are concerned they will look older than they are, less healthy, or less capable.
Historically, there is some basis for this worry. A 2010 study revealed people were not as well accepted when they had hearing loss. But the data from this study is nearly a decade old. This perception is changing as hearing loss becomes more widespread. Hearing loss technology is becoming Stylish, fun, and sophisticated. Even celebrities are openly wearing hearing aids. Other health concerns relating to aging, like cognitive decline and dementia could be delayed or even prevented by getting treatment, according to research. This is also helping to change the perception. In spite of this, many people still won’t get the treatment they really need.
Why Does It Matter?
It is simple to say that perception doesn’t matter, but if this worry is preventing you from getting help, know that there are health repercussions for not getting treatment. More people get colonoscopies than hearing tests according to an AARP survey. Not getting a hearing exam because you refuse to acknowledge your hearing loss will impact your health as you get older.
Untreated Hearing Loss, What Are The Consequences?
Your overall health will be affected by these physical consequences;
Fatigue
Everything in life is more tedious when you are working hard to hear. You have to work more than other people to hear conversations and sounds. You also need to be more careful to protect your safety because you can’t hear warning sounds or cars coming. You can become chronically fatigued simply by trying to hear day-to-day sounds.
Common Headaches and Migraines
You can suffer from headaches and migraines if you have too much anxiety and tension. You might not realize there is a correlation, but studies have revealed a link between migraines and certain kinds of hearing loss. The constant extra effort by your brain to make up for sounds you can’t hear can cause your head to ache even if you’re not prone to migraines.
Mental Health
Anxiety and depression are some mental health issues you could possibly also end up facing as a consequence of untreated loss of hearing. Social isolation is increased by hearing loss and it can also lead to dementia. You will have less energy and will be moodier if you have these other challenges.
Surmounting Negative Perceptions of Hearing Loss
Overcoming these negative perceptions begins with getting help. If you are losing your hearing, it is treatable. Understand that you are the one that suffers if you don’t get that treatment.
There might not even be any reason to stress out because not all loss of hearing is permanent. You won’t know what the problem is unless you make an appointment to get a hearing exam. It could be as simple as earwax buildup.
Make sure you deal with it if it turns out that you do have hearing loss. Nowadays hearing aids come in many shapes and sizes. More inconspicuous styles are available if you feel concerned about people finding out you have hearing loss.
Most significantly, show everyone that you have lots of confidence in spite of your hearing loss. You should wear your hearing aids with confidence because when you can hear, you will be just as active and healthy as anyone else. The perception of people who have hearing loss will be changed if you act in this way. Increase awareness and stay healthy by not giving in to negative perceptions.
Hearing loss is not a personal weakness it’s a medical condition. Make an appointment to have a hearing exam today.