If you’re not managing your symptoms properly, hearing loss can hospitalize you. You might 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 tougher to hear or, at worst, makes you unknowingly agree to something you didn’t mean.
But the long-term health impacts of untreated hearing loss is beginning to get significant attention from researchers.
What Does Hearing Loss Have to do With Your Health?
Hearing loss doesn’t, at first glance, seem like it has very much of a link to other health concerns. But research conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health indicates that over time, visits to the hospital can increase by up to 50% for someone with neglected hearing loss. The longer the hearing loss remains unmanaged, the more severe the health troubles get.
That’s a puzzling finding: how is your total state of health associated with your ability to hear? The answer is complicated.
Hearing Health And Mental Health
Here are a few of the health problems linked to hearing loss:
- Balance problems. Hearing loss can make it more difficult to keep your balance and maintain situational focus.
- Higher instance of anxiety and depression. Basically, the chance of depression and anxiety increases with hearing loss and that will lead to health issues both physical and mental.
- Memory can start to fail. As a matter of fact, your odds of getting dementia double with neglected hearing loss.
Hearing Aids Really Help
There’s some good news though. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School research reveals that up to 75% of hearing loss related mental decline can be stopped in its tracks by one simple solution: using a hearing aid.
Wearing a hearing aid has a powerful impact on mitigating the risks associated with neglected hearing loss. According to the study, patients who used hearing aids for just two weeks saw:
- Improvements in brain function.
- Balance and awareness improvements.
- Severe brain injury reductions.
Over a period of about two decades, Johns Hopkins accumulated and analyzed data from more than 77,000 people. And an essential part of preserving your health lies in safeguarding your hearing which is a surprising conclusion. Being sick usually costs money, so taking care of your hearing also protects 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. Because of accidents, occupational hazards, and disease, hearing loss can happen regardless of how old you are.
However, it’s essential to address any hearing loss you may be experiencing. Otherwise, your health could be negatively impacted.