As we age, so does our hearing. Statistics reported by the National Institute of Health indicate that close to 25 percent of those ages 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are over 75 have a disabling hearing loss. Although expected, neglecting hearing loss is dangerous to your physical and mental health. Untreated hearing loss also has a substantial impact on the families and loved ones of the one suffering from it. However, hearing aids help to prevent additional hearing damage as well as lowering your risk of developing conditions such as anxiety, depression, dementia, and other costly health conditions. To help my patients in the Pensacola community better understand their value, I have compiled a list of benefits you can expect from wearing hearing aids.
Increased Self-Worth
A major consequence of hearing loss is that it often causes sufferers to feel broken and worthless. As they become a burden to others or begin to feel left out, they usually withdraw from social events, family gatherings, and people in general, sinking into depression. Hearing aids eliminate the need to ask people to repeat what they say, which is a major boost to greater social involvement. They decrease dependency on others to translate or explain what others are saying, allowing the user to understand and communicate critical information while staying involved in what’s going on around them. Hearing aids help wearers overcome feelings of brokenness and increase self-worth.
Greater Independence
Related to issues with depression and self-worth are issues of independence. An inability to hear well limits an individual’s capacity to engage in common tasks of daily living such as banking, doctor appointments, shopping, dining, and community activities. Hearing aids help to restore independence, making users less dependent on others and allow them to enjoy going about their daily routines without the need for constant supervision.
Restore Relationships
Relationship strains related to hearing loss often include isolation, depression, worthlessness, and dependence on others. Besides breaking down normal lines of communication, hearing loss often contributes to feelings of resentment, because sufferers can’t stay up-to-date with family, friends, and co-workers or clearly follow instructions. By reestablishing clear communication through the use of hearing aids, wearers can make great strides toward overcoming damaged relationships and drawing people together.
Prevent Additional Health Issues
In addition to continuing damage to hearing, untreated hearing loss can lead to additional health issues. Among the potential health risks related to hearing loss are headaches, muscle tension, increased stress, and elevated blood pressure. Accidents related to an inability to hear what is going on around them or balance issues also add to the risks of untreated hearing loss. Hearing aids reverse and prevent additional damage to hearing and eliminate headaches and muscle tension while assisting in lowering stress, blood pressure, and accident risks.
Decrease Cognitive Decline
Just as an unused arm or leg muscle will atrophy over time, so does the portion of the brain used to process sound. As sound processing declines, it causes cognitive damage to the brain, leading to advanced decline, which can include dementia. Hearing aids allow the brain’s sound processing portion to remain active, holding off cognitive decline and the early onset of dementia.
Hearing Aid Technology by the Hearing Center of MCC
Modern technology and improved awareness of the positive benefits of hearing aids have helped reduce the lingering stigma of wearing hearing aids. In addition to better performance, hearing aids have become smaller and much more discreet, making it difficult for anyone to know you are wearing them. The Hearing Center of Medical Center Clinic and I are eager to provide you with the great benefits provided by the best hearing aid technology available in Pensacola and the surrounding areas. Contact us for more information about the benefits of hearing aids or schedule a hearing assessment to see how a hearing aid might improve your lifestyle.
