The Dangers of Untreated Hearing Damage
Hearing loss affects around 1 in every 6 adults in the American population, yet only a third of these people actually seek treatment for it. They may feel as though they are saving some money by not treating their hearing loss with hearing aids, but they actually end up spending much more money in the long run.
A recent research study reports that those who do not seek any form of treatment for their hearing loss undergo healthcare costs of around $133 billion each year! The meta-analysis study conducted by an international organization in Belgium examined the results from several American research studies which explored the medical costs faced by those who do not use hearing aids for their hearing loss.
People who do not seek treatment for hearing loss were found to have higher chances of depression and anxiety. These people also faced social withdrawal due to difficulty communicating with others. Their earning capacity also diminished due to their hearing loss, which caused difficulties at work and a loss of income each year. Such people were also more likely to lose out on promotions, encounter accidents in the workplace and had higher chances of being fired.
Perhaps the most alarming of all is that those with untreated forms of hearing loss face a significantly higher likelihood of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to the rapid deterioration of cognitive skills that occurs as a result of untreated hearing loss.
Hearing aids can help significantly reduce medical costs that are linked with untreated loss of hearing. Those who use hearing aids also report a significantly higher satisfaction and quality of life. Their cognitive health also remains intact while their work life, social life, and personal life all remain healthy and productive.
People who use hearing aids report having better relationships with their loved ones due to improved communication skills. Their work productivity also improves significantly and they feel a lot safer at work as well.
Hearing loss does not only affect your hearing, it affects your entire life. It hampers your work productivity, personal relationships, and quality of life. As such, it is time to take it seriously and seek the help you need.