Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
Hearing loss is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide, yet most people tend to delay getting their hearing checked for approximately 7 years, even if they suspect that they might have hearing loss.
Delaying treatment for hearing loss can lead to irreversible damage and also increase your susceptibility towards psychosocial disorders. A survey by the National Council on Aging in 1999 reported that adults who had untreated hearing impairment tend to have a significantly higher rate when it comes to disorders such as Anxiety and Depression.
Research at Johns Hopkins revealed that participants suffering from hearing loss had a 30%-40% decline in cognitive abilities than those who had no hearing loss. Thankfully, early detection of hearing loss can avoid unnecessary psychological ailments later in life. The first step towards proper treatment is to first accept the fact that you have hearing loss so that it can be successfully treated through the use of hearing aids.
Hearing aids can help you regain your active social and family life by helping you hear all the important sounds that you need to hear in your daily life. Factors such as aging, exposure to loud noises, and certain kinds of medication have been known to cause hearing loss over time. Remain alert for early signs that may indicate that you have hearing loss.
If you find it difficult to understand certain types of voices, especially high pitched ones such as the ones of children or women you may have hearing loss. If others around you keep requesting you to reduce the volume on your television you may have hearing loss. If you find that you are unable to locate the source of sounds or need to lean closer to a person talking to you so that you can hear them, you may have hearing loss.
Get your hearing tested every year, much like getting a routine physical examination. This way your doctor will be able to warn you if they notice any early signs of hearing loss which can help you avoid cognitive disruption and psychological disorders.