Hearing loss can cause distorted and incomplete communication that seriously impacts your professional and personal life, with many negative effects putting an individual at risk for isolation and withdrawal. Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to:
- Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
- Embarrassment at asking for things to be repeated
- Lowered self-confidence
- Anxiety
- Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- Frustration, irritability, negativism and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
- Social rejection and loneliness
- Reduced job performance and earning power
- Diminished psychological and overall health
Many important studies have been conducted to understand hearing loss and its relation to other serious health issues such as dementia, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and fall rates in older adults. When hearing loss is present at the same time as one of these health concerns, the term comorbidities is often used as it describes the presence of two or more chronic diseases or disorders affecting a person. Researchers have taken more interest in comorbidities including hearing loss as individuals who live with untreated hearing loss tend to face higher risk for other physical and cognitive issues.
Cognition
In a recent report on dementia prevention and its risk factors, it was suggested that hearing loss and social isolation have a possible connection to dementia in later life, and The Better Hearing Institute has gotten involved with outreach.
To read more about the correlation between hearing loss and cognitive disorders, read our SoundOff article on Hearing Loss and Dementia.
If you think you or a loved one suffers from hearing loss, don’t delay another day. Call SoundLogic to schedule a hearing test and take the first step toward a world of better hearing.