If you’re not managing your symptoms properly, hearing loss can hospitalize you. You may think that this is somewhat of an exaggeration. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as little more than a hassle – something that makes the news a little more difficult to hear or, at worst, makes you unknowingly agree to something you didn’t mean.
But new research is causing alarm about the long-term health effects of neglected hearing loss.
What Does Hearing Loss Have to do With Your Health?
Hearing loss doesn’t, at first sight, seem like it has very much of a connection to other health concerns. But research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that neglected hearing loss can lead to a 50% increase in visits to the hospital over time. The chance of serious health problems rises the longer hearing loss remains untreated.
That’s a curious finding: how is your general state of health associated with your ability to hear? The answer is challenging.
Hearing Health And Mental Health
Untreated hearing loss has been connected with several other health concerns, like:
- Balance problems. Hearing loss can make it more difficult to keep your balance and keep your situational focus.
- Memory can start to fail. In fact, your odds of getting dementia is twice as high with neglected hearing loss.
- An increase in anxiety and depression. Simply put, neglected hearing loss can increase depression and anxiety, which will then have a powerfully negative effect on your physical body, not to mention your mental health.
Hearing Aids: A Real Solution
There’s some good news though. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School research indicates that up to 75% of the mental decline associated with hearing loss can be stopped in its tracks by one simple solution: using a hearing aid.
The health hazards connected to hearing loss can be significantly reduced by using hearing aids. According to the study, individuals who used hearing aids for only two weeks saw:
- Brain function improvements.
- Balance and awareness improvements.
- Severe brain injury reductions.
The team from Johns Hopkins looked at data from 77,000 patients accumulated over roughly two decades. And the conclusion is surprisingly simple: safeguarding your hearing is crucial to maintaining your health. Being sick can be costly, so taking care of your hearing also safeguards your financial well being.
Caring For Your Health And Your Hearing
Hearing loss is not exclusive to getting older but it is a part of it. Hearing loss can occur at any age as a result of occupational hazards, accidents, or diseases.
However or whenever you lose your hearing, it’s extremely important to address it. Your health could depend on it.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
