Amidst hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too simple to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may even find yourself hesitating to get hearing aids altogether. But hearing loss impacts more than only your ears and delaying treatment can have detrimental effects on your whole life.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of mental decline
A clear link between mental decline and neglected hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
The impact on hearing
Naturally, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t helpful for maintaining your auditory health. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or holding off on the purchase of hearing aids, you inadvertently subject your ears to further damage.
You may find yourself constantly boosting the volume on your various devices, worsening the damage to your ears and speeding up the progression of hearing loss. Using a hearing aid can help alleviate this by selectively amplifying particular frequencies, thereby delaying the development of hearing loss.
The link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are closely linked. Mental function can be seriously impacted by neglected hearing loss according to some significant research. Over time, mental decline can be worsened by depression and anxiety brought on by social isolation.
Furthermore, long-term neglected hearing loss causes the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from processing sound to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of healthy hearing function down the road.
Navigating neuroplasticity
The brain’s remarkable ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this situation. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, prolonged untreated hearing loss can lead to considerable rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to revert to previous functionality.
But it is possible to undo this effect. In spite of previous delays in seeking treatment, using hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still yield substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy better hearing and stronger cognitive function, call us today for an assessment!