Hearing loss is one of the symptoms that people have problems understanding and accepting, especially when contrasted with heart illness or impaired vision. Americans wait for an average of seven to ten years between the time they first notice changes in their hearing and the time they finish a hearing evaluation.
Following the first test, many patients continue to put off getting hearing aids for months or even years. Even when they do, some don’t use their hearing aids long enough for the transition period to pass. And the resistance doesn’t always go away until hearing loss is detected during a screening.
The unfortunate truth about hearing loss.
Mild to severe hearing loss affects about 1 in 5 Americans. People who have moderate hearing loss may not be aware of it, but they nonetheless experience the effects of hearing loss in their interactions with family and friends.
Because severe hearing loss may be very debilitating and affect a person’s ability to speak with others, drive a car, or hold down a job, those with severe hearing loss are often the most likely to seek treatment.
Early intervention is essential.
You react to treatment better the sooner hearing loss is identified and dealt with. This is because when hearing loss progresses, our brain’s circuitry changes gradually and impairs our cognition.
Our ability to hear sound mostly depends on the inner ear, where sensitive hair cells are wired to detect different sound frequencies and send information to the brain’s auditory cortex for processing. Due to the hair cells’ inability to repair or replace themselves after being hurt, damage to them also causes permanent hearing loss.
If we cannot fully understand sounds, our brain only obtains a limited understanding of what a sound signifies. While our auditory cortex strives to piece meaningful meaning from sound fragments, this draws cognitive resources from other parts of the brain.
Untreated hearing problems eventually rewrite our minds’ perception of sound over time. Neural pathways initially employed for healthy hearing deteriorate and are reallocated for new functions when the auditory pathways change to adjust for hearing loss.
As hearing loss goes untreated for a more extended period, the brain becomes increasingly dependent on strategies to compensate for the missing auditory information, which causes hearing loss to deviate from our “normal” way of hearing.
It is simpler to integrate hearing loss therapy into our life the less we let our brains adapy to hearing loss.
Think of your family.
Several international studies show a strong correlation between using hearing aids to correct hearing loss and improving connections with loved ones.
Consider the moments you will miss at family gatherings because you missed what was said. These interpersonal tensions may be reduced, and you can stay connected with your loved ones after you accept and manage your hearing loss.
Think of your career.
There are almost no benefits to hiding your hearing loss at work. According to research, persons with untreated hearing loss are seen as less calm, clever, and intelligent than their counterparts who do not have the condition or treat it with hearing aids.
You must acknowledge your hearing loss and keep it a secret from your coworkers to ensure your performance is maintained, and your coworkers will assume you lack the skills and experience needed to do the job.
It is essential to acknowledge and be honest about your hearing loss with your coworkers so that they may make adjustments that will enable you to participate fully. It would also make your coworkers aware that you didn’t catch something at a meeting or presentation because you didn’t hear it, not because you stopped paying attention.
Hearing aids have evolved.
Modern hearing aids are cutting-edge tools that may improve your hearing unexpectedly. You’ll like wearing these sophisticated and fashionable devices every day, and they might significantly assist you.
With the proper fitting and programming with a hearing specialist, you stand the best chance of understanding all the essential sounds. Modern hearing aids are designed to help you hear the most important sounds.
At our clinic, we are very concerned about your hearing and general well-being. Call us right away to schedule a consultation. We can’t wait to demonstrate all the advantages of recognizing and managing your hearing loss.