Commit to better hearing in the New Year. Setting this achievable goal is a great way to prioritize your hearing health and wellness. Hearing is a critical way we navigate daily life and understand our surroundings. Hearing loss is a pervasive health issue that millions of people experience. Taking steps to better your hearing offers countless benefits that profoundly improve all aspects of life. Start the new year by scheduling an appointment for a hearing test that assesses your hearing needs. This simple step is a major way to prioritize your hearing health!
Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss impacts nearly 1 in 6 people. 48 million people in the U.S. experience some degree of hearing loss, making it the third most common chronic condition today. Several factors can contribute to the development of hearing loss, common causes include:
- Loud noise: one time or regular exposure to loud noise can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. These sensory cells convert incoming sound waves into electrical signals that get sent to the brain. From here, the brain is able to further analyze the signals and assign meaning to what we hear. Loud noise can cause hair cells to lose sensitivity and die over time. Because these cells do not regenerate, the damage is permanent, resulting in hearing loss.
- Aging: age-related hearing loss, also referred to as presbycusis, is common among older adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 33% of adults ages 65-74 have hearing loss. This increases to 50% for adults 75 and older. A few factors contribute to this including the cumulative toll of loud noise on the auditory system over a long period of time, existing medical conditions that older adults also experience disproportionately (osteoporosis for example), and changes to the ear.
- Existing medical conditions: research shows that several medical conditions increase the risk of hearing loss. This includes cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Other causes of hearing loss include inner ear disorders, autoimmune conditions, head and neck injuries, and chronic ear infections. Though hearing loss is pervasive, it is often undertreated. It takes an average of 7 years for a person to seek treatment from the onset of hearing loss symptoms. Recognizing changes to hearing health and intervening as early as possible can drastically support one’s health and wellness.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss has multifaceted effects on all aspects of life. This also means that treating hearing loss has numerous benefits that profoundly improve the quality of life. Major benefits include:
- Strengthened communication: hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. More advanced than ever, hearing aids are electronic devices that absorb and process sound. They are well highly equipped with innovative technology that creates seamless hearing experiences. This significant support to the auditory system alleviates hearing loss symptoms, maximizing hearing capacity. Being able to hear much more clearly and with greater ease strengthens communication in several ways. People are able to fully participate and engage in conversation, making communication more accessible and smooth.
- Improved relationships: untreated hearing loss can affect relationships too. People often report feeling ignored and frustrated with their loved ones with hearing loss. Communication is an essential ingredient of healthy relationships and untreated hearing loss can make this really challenging. With hearing aids, people are able to have conversations seamlessly. This makes it more possible to spend quality time, have dynamic conversations, and be fully present; nurturing intimacy and closeness.
- Enhanced overall health: treating hearing loss also boosts overall health. Hearing aids strengthen cognitive functions, improving brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, treatment alleviates symptoms that often lead to social withdrawal and depressive symptoms.
These life-changing benefits are among many that contribute to a positive sense of self, happiness, and wellness.
Prioritizing Hearing Health in the New Year
The New Year is a great opportunity to commit to your hearing health. At our office, we are invested in providing patient-centered care that revitalizes health. Our services aim to transform your health and reconnect you with life. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!