The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates “one in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.”
Worse yet, fewer than 30 percent of adults over 70 and less than 16 percent of adults 20-69 who would benefit from hearing aids have actually used them.
There are plenty of myths and stigmas associated with hearing aids and the treatment of hearing loss, but there are two sides to every story.
I want to layout 5 key benefits that come from treating hearing loss as part of the other side of the story so that I might encourage those with a hearing loss in East Tennessee to seriously consider seeking the help you need.
1. Better Job/School Performance
Improving your hearing enhances your communication skills and leads to a more successful career.
Regardless of whether you own your own business or work for someone else, your ability to communicate is directly connected to your job performance, promotion potential, and/or the growth of your client base.
Treating hearing loss in children and young adults still in school improves their capacity to understand academic and social conversations in the classroom or among their peers, which tends to increase their level of productivity, performance, and flattens their learning curve.
2. Improved Relationships
Treatment for hearing loss eliminates the negative feelings of being left out of conversations with family and friends and the feelings of isolation that often accompany an inability to hear and understand what others are saying.
Getting help typically boosts social interactions, which are a necessary part of staying mentally sharp as you age.
In addition, those whose hearing has improved don’t have to rely on others to translate what others are saying or help them understand important instructions or critical information from bankers, doctors, pharmacists, etc., eliminating the frustration and enjoying greater independence.
3. Better Mental Health
Those who seek treatment for their hearing loss tend to be more active and aware of what is going on around them. This helps prevent mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and isolation, which plague those with an untreated hearing loss.
Hearing aids and other forms of hearing care improve your cognitive health and prevent or limit the development of dementia and hold off Alzheimer’s disease, allowing you to continue to lead a more independent and rewarding lifestyle.
4. Improved Balance
Studies at Washington University, St. Louis demonstrate that individuals with a hearing loss who use hearing aids have significant advantages over those who leave their hearing loss untreated when it comes to maintaining their balance.
In addition to improving overall situational awareness, the presence of sound, thanks to hearing aid assistance, helped to provide reference points or landmarks that help them stay steady on their feet.
Better balance allows for a lower risk of critical injuries associated with balance-related falls, allowing you to be more confident in and out of your home and enjoy a more active and independent lifestyle.
5. Increased Safety And Security
In addition to avoiding critical injuries due to balance-related falls, hearing aids improve your ability to hear warning sirens or alarms and understand critical instructions, which are essential elements in safer, more secure living.
Those who treat their hearing loss can comprehend the information of public alerts, fully understand safety instructions provided along with their medications or during therapeutic activities, and better communicate with officials responsible for ensuring their safety in critical situations.
Schedule A Hearing Assessment
Regardless of whether you believe you are experiencing a hearing loss, your ticket to better hearing and a safer, more rewarding, and independent lifestyle begins with a hearing assessment.
With a hearing assessment, the team and I at ENT Consultants of East Tennessee can identify the type and severity of your hearing loss and create a personalized hearing treatment plan to meet your specific hearing and lifestyle needs.
If you or a loved one is feeling the debilitating effects of untreated hearing loss, then do not hesitate any longer. Contact our Parkwest, Ft. Sanders, or Lenior City clinic nearest you to schedule a hearing assessment and start your journey to better hearing and a better quality of life.
