Hearing loss is a normal part of aging, unfortunately. Approximately 38 million people in the US suffer from some form of hearing loss, though because hearing loss is expected as we get older, many people choose to leave it unchecked. Ignoring hearing loss, however, can have serious negative side effects on a person’s overall well-being beyond their inability to hear.

Why do so many people resist getting help for their hearing loss? According to an AARP study, more than one-third of senior citizens think of hearing loss as a minor problem that can be dealt with easily enough, while more than half of the respondents cited cost as a worry. When you consider the conditions and significant side effects caused by neglecting hearing loss, however, the costs can go up dramatically. Here are the most common negative effects of neglecting hearing loss.

Exhaustion

Most people will not immediately connect the dots from fatigue to hearing loss. They are often in denial and will blame their fatigue on things such as getting older or a side-effect of medication. The truth is that the less you can hear, the more your body works to make up for it, leaving you feeling tired. Imagine you are taking an exam like the SAT where your brain is completely focused on processing the task at hand. When you’re finished, you probably feel exhausted. The same thing occurs when you struggle to hear: when having conversations, your brain is working to fill in the blanks – and if there is a lot of background noise this is even more overwhelming – and as you attempt to process the conversation, you spend precious energy. Your overall health can be affected by this type of chronic exhaustion and you can be left so run down you can’t take good care of yourself, leaving things like cooking healthy meals or going to the gym hard to accomplish.

Mental Decline

Johns Hopkins University conducted a study that linked hearing loss to , accelerated brain tissue loss, and dementia. Even though these connections are correlations instead of causations, it’s thought by researchers that the more cognitive resources used trying to fill in the blanks of a conversation, the less the resources available for other things such as memory and comprehension. The decrease of brain function is accelerated and there is a loss of grey matter with the additional draw on cognitive ability that comes with growing older. The process of cognitive decline can be delayed and senior citizens can stay mentally tuned by the regular exchange of ideas through conversation. The discovery of a link between loss of hearing and a decline in cognitive functions is encouraging for future research since cognitive and hearing specialists can work together to pinpoint the causes and develop treatments for these ailments.

Mental Health Issues

The National Council on the Aging conducted a study of 2,300 seniors who suffered some form of hearing loss and discovered that paranoia, anxiety, and depression negatively impacted the emotional health more often than those who don’t have hearing loss. Since trouble communicating with others in family and social situations is normal for those with hearing loss, the link between mental health issues and hearing loss seems logical. This can cause feelings of seclusion, which can eventually result in depression. Because of these feelings of exclusion and solitude, anxiety and even paranoia can be the consequence, particularly if left untreated. It’s been shown that recovery from depression is aided by hearing aids. But a mental health professional should still be contacted if you suffer from depression, anxiety, or paranoia.

Heart Disease

All the parts of our bodies are one interconnected machine – an evidently unconnected part can be affected negatively if a different part stops working as it is supposed to. This is the case with our hearts and ears. As an example, when blood doesn’t flow easily from the heart to the inner ear, hearing loss will happen. Diabetes, which is also connected to heart disease, can impact the inner ear’s nerve endings and cause messages sent from the ear to the brain to become scrambled. Individuals who have noticed some level of hearing loss and who have a history of heart disease or diabetes in their families should consult with both a cardiac and hearing specialist to determine whether the hearing loss is indeed caused by a heart condition, since neglecting the symptoms could lead to serious, potentially fatal repercussions.

If you have loss of hearing or are having any of the negative effects listed above, please contact us so we can help you live a healthier life. Schedule your appointment now.