Hearing loss – it’s usually thought to be a given as we get older. Hearing loss is experienced by lots of older Americans and so is tinnitus or a ringing in the ears. But for such an accepted condition many people still deny they deal with hearing loss.
A new study from Canada reveals that loss of hearing is experienced by over half of Canadians, but that 77% of those individuals do not document any issues. Some type of hearing loss is impacting more than 48 million Americans and untreated. It’s up for debate whether this denial is on purpose or not, but either way, hearing loss is neglected by a significant number of people – which, down the road, could cause significant issues.
Why do Some Individuals Not Recognize They Suffer From Loss of Hearing?
That question is a complex one. Loss of hearing is a gradual process, and some people might not even recognize that they are having a harder time hearing things or understanding people than they used to. Or, more frequently, they could blame it on something else – the person they’re talking to is muttering, volumes aren’t turned up loud enough, or there’s too much background interference. hearing loss can be blamed, unfortunately, on a number of things, and people’s first instinct is not normally going to be to get examined or have a hearing test.
It also happens that some people just won’t admit that they suffer from hearing loss. Another study conducted in the United States shows that many seniors flat out refuse to admit that they are suffering from a hearing issue. They do everything they can to cover up their problem, either because they don’t want to admit to having an issue or because of perceived stigmas attached to hearing loss.
The concern with both of these situations is that by denying or not realizing you have a hearing problem you could actually be negatively impacting your general health.
Neglected Hearing Loss Can Have a Devastating Affect
It’s not just your ears that are impacted by hearing loss – it has been linked to different conditions like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, and it can also be a symptom of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Research has revealed that people who have loss of hearing generally have shorter life expectancy rates and their general health is not as strong as others who have treated their hearing loss with hearing aids, dietary changes, or cognitive behavioral therapy.
It’s crucial to identify the signs of hearing loss – difficulty having conversations, turning up the volume on the radio or TV, or a chronic ringing or humming in your ears.
What Can be Done to Manage Hearing Loss?
You can control your hearing loss using a number of treatment options. Hearing aids are the most common form of treatment, and hearing aid technology has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years so it’s not likely you’ll encounter the same problems your grandparents or parents did. Hearing aids now have the ability to filter out background noise and wind, while also wirelessly connecting to devices like your radio, TV, or tablet.
A dietary changes could also have a positive effect on the health of your hearing if you have anemia. Eating more foods that are rich in iron has been shown to help people combat tinnitus and hearing loss since iron deficiency anemia has been shown to lead to hearing loss.
Having your hearing checked on a regular basis, however, is the most important thing you can do.
Are you concerned you might have hearing troubles? Schedule an appointment for a hearing test.
