Hearing loss is one of those conditions that can sneak up on you before you even realize it. Oftentimes it is a family member or close friend that notices you are having trouble hearing before you do yourself. Hearing loss, like many other health conditions, does more damage the longer it goes untreated. Not only does untreated hearing loss affect the brain’s ability to regain the sounds you have lost, but it can severely impact a sufferer’s quality of life and emotional state as well.
The Better Hearing Institute states that untreated hearing loss has been linked to:
- Irritability, negativism and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
- Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
- Social rejection and loneliness
- Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- Reduced job performance and earning power
- Diminished psychological and overall health
That being said, the earlier you detect hearing loss and seek treatment, the greater chance you have of a gaining a positive outcome. We have compiled a list of five simple questions that can help you determine the current quality of your hearing. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions we suggest that you take our more in-depth online hearing assessment.
- Do you struggle to hear people on the phone?
- Do you feel the need to turn the TV up louder than the rest of your family?
- Do you constantly have to ask people to repeat themselves?
- Does your spouse or other family members complain that you don’t listen to them?
- Do you find it hard to follow conversations in crowded places like a restaurant?
Hearing loss will not get better on its own, it will continue to deteriorate over time and just make it much more difficult to treat. There are many different treatment options available so don’t wait until it’s too late to have your hearing tested. Make an appointment with your audiologist and we will work with you to find the appropriate course of treatment to fit your lifestyle and your budget.
