Putting off on important appointments, like your hearing aid fitting, is all too easy amongst the hustle and bustle of daily events. You might not even get around to shopping for hearing aids whatsoever. However, putting off on treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
Neglected hearing loss can result in a higher risk of mental decline
A clear connection between mental decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This underscores the critical importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have negative effects on your mental function too.
Hearing loss will worsen if it’s neglected
Naturally, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t helpful for preserving 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.
The development of your hearing loss will be accelerated if you continuously need to crank up the volume on your devices. Using a hearing aid can help mitigate this by selectively amplifying specific frequencies, thereby delaying the progression of hearing loss.
The link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are intricately linked. Cognitive function can be seriously impacted by neglected hearing loss according to some significant research. Over time, mental decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety caused by social isolation.
Moreover, prolonged untreated hearing loss causes the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from auditory processing to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of healthy hearing function down the road.
Navigating neuroplasticity
The brain’s amazing ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this situation. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, prolonged untreated hearing loss can lead to considerable rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to revert to previous functionality.
However, it isn’t impossible to undo these effects. In both the short and the long term, utilizing hearing aids can bring significant benefits even if you’ve held off on getting treatment for some time.
Make an appointment with a hearing specialist
While quick treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to deal with hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy improved hearing and stronger mental function, call us today for an assessment!
