Your life can be significantly affected by hearing loss, in a way that goes beyond the inability to hear. Losing your hearing will get in the way of everyday activities and can stress relationships.
A study carried out by AARP found that untreated hearing loss had a greater impact on quality of life than:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Obesity
Hearing loss, when neglected, can seriously have a negative effect on your lifestyle, yet there are many who don’t seek help. Many people with loss of hearing shun getting help because they think that there is a stigma associated with hearing loss, according to researchers. If others find out they have hearing loss, people fear they will be treated differently. It doesn’t matter how old they are, this perception can distort the way they view themselves.
Your Not The Only One
Even though it can effect people of every age, it is true that as lifespans grow longer there are more instances of hearing loss. The World Health Organization reports that over 1.1 billion people are at risk of hearing loss and the perceived perceptions that come along with it, many of them young adults. One of the most widespread health problems facing young adults is, as a matter of fact, hearing loss. Even as the amount of people with hearing loss keeps increasing, the resistance to getting help for hearing loss seems to persist. How is one’s overall health affected?
How Is Hearing Loss Viewed?
The story is pretty well demonstrated by the actual definition of stigma, which is a brand that marks someone as inferior. Many people with hearing loss are worried they will come across as older than they are, less healthy, or less able.
Historically, there is some basis for this concern. A 2010 study found when people suffer from hearing loss they were not as well accepted. But the data from this study is nearly a decade old. This perception is improving as hearing loss is becoming more widespread. Celebrities openly wear hearing aids and the technology is becoming more cutting edge, stylish, and fun. Other health concerns related to aging, like cognitive decline and dementia could be delayed or even prevented by getting treatment, researchers say. This is also helping to change the perception. In spite of this, some people still don’t get the treatment they really need.
Why Does It Matter?
Don’t allow your anxiety about negative perception keep you from seeking help or you could suffer long-term health consequences. People get colonoscopies, according to an AARP survey, more often than they get hearing tests. Not having a hearing examination because you refuse to acknowledge your hearing loss will impact your health as you get older.
Untreated Hearing Loss, What Are The Consequences?
Not dealing with your hearing loss can have the following health consequences;
Fatigue
Everything in life is more tiresome if you are struggling to hear. You have to work harder than other people to hear conversations and sounds. Because you can’t hear oncoming traffic or a person walking up behind you, you need to put more effort into staying safe as well. You can become chronically fatigued simply by attempting to hear common sounds.
Migraines
Headaches and even migraines can be triggered by stress and tension. You might not realize there is a connection, but studies have demonstrated a link between migraines and some types of hearing loss. The constant extra effort of your brain to compensate for sounds you can’t hear can cause your head to ache even if you’re not prone to migraines.
Mental Health
As a result of your untreated hearing loss, you could face mental health problems such as depression and social anxiety. Hearing loss could increase social isolation and has even been linked to dementia. These challenges, in turn, often come with physical symptoms like reduced energy levels or moodiness.
Overcoming Negative Perceptions of Hearing Loss
Getting help is the first step to overcoming these negative perceptions. Hearing loss is a treatable condition. If you choose not to get treatment, you should understand that you are the one who suffers.
You also could be stressing out over nothing because not all hearing loss is permanent. common earwax buildup can cause loss of hearing, but you can’t be sure unless you make an appointment to have a hearing test.
Acknowledging you have hearing loss is not enough, you need to do something about it. Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes these days. There are hearing aids that are less noticeable if your concerned about people knowing you have hearing loss.
Most importantly, show everyone that you have plenty of confidence despite your hearing loss. You can be just as active and healthy as anyone, so wear your hearing aids with self-confidence. The perception of people with hearing loss will be improved if you act in this way. Boost awareness and stay healthy by not surrendering to negative perceptions.
You don’t have to be less capable if you have hearing loss, because it’s actually a medical condition. So see a hearing professional for a hearing test right away.
