Between hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too easy to put off important appointments, like those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You might not even get around to shopping for hearing aids at all. But hearing loss affects more than just your ears and holding off on treatment can have detrimental effects on your entire life.
Neglected hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of cognitive decline
A clear connection between mental decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This underscores the critical importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have negative effects on your mental function also.
The impact on hearing
Obviously, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to preserving your auditory health. You unintentionally cause more harm to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing test or hearing aids if you need them.
You may find yourself continually increasing the volume on your various devices, exacerbating the damage to your ears and speeding up the development of hearing loss. Hearing aids can boost particular frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection between untreated hearing loss and mental function
There’s a direct link between your sense of hearing and your brain. Mental function can be seriously impacted by untreated hearing loss according to some substantial research. Over time, mental decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety brought on by social isolation.
Furthermore, long-term neglected hearing loss prompts the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from auditory processing to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of normal hearing function later on.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, sustained untreated hearing loss can result in considerable rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to return to previous functionality.
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 put off on getting treatment for some time.
Give us a call for an appointment
While quick treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy improved hearing and stronger mental function, call us today for an assessment!