Amidst hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too simple to put off important appointments, like those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may even find yourself hesitating to get hearing aids altogether. But hearing loss impacts more than only your ears and holding off on treatment can have detrimental effects on your entire life.
The link to cognitive decline
A clear connection between cognitive decline and neglected hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This underscores the critical importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have adverse effects on your mental function as well.
Hearing loss will worsen if it’s neglected
Naturally, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to preserving your auditory health. You inadvertently cause more damage to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing exam or hearing aids if you need them.
The advancement of your hearing loss will be quickened if you constantly need to crank up the volume on your devices. Using a hearing aid can help mitigate this by selectively amplifying particular frequencies, thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection to cognitive function
There’s a direct connection between your sense of hearing and your brain. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can have substantial consequences on cognitive function. Over time, mental decline can be worsened by depression and anxiety caused by social isolation.
Also, the restoration of normal hearing function can be complicated because neglected hearing loss will force the brain to adapt by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. The brain will have a difficult time reverting back to its previous state after it rewires itself to accommodate for prolonged neglected hearing loss.
However, it’s not impossible to undo these effects. In both the short and the long term, using hearing aids can bring significant benefits even if you’ve held off on getting treatment for some time.
Call us for an appointment
While quick treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to tackle hearing loss. Making an appointment with us as soon as you can is essential, ensuring you can enjoy improved hearing and mental function going forward. Call today!
