Hearing loss can have a profound effect on you, one that is about a lot more than the inability to hear things. Relationships can be stressed and day-to-day activities can be disrupted by hearing loss.

A study conducted by AARP found that untreated hearing loss had a more significant effect on quality of life than:

• Obesity
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Diabetes

There are many people who don’t seek help with their hearing loss in spite of the fact that it negatively impacts their lives. Many people who suffer from hearing loss shun getting help because they think that there is a stigma attached to hearing loss, according to researchers. People are worried they will be treated differently if people find out they are dealing with hearing loss. This perception can change how they see themselves whether they are young or old.

Your Not The Only One

Even though it can affect people of every age group, it is true that as lifespans get longer there are more instances of hearing loss. The World Health Organization reports that there are more than 1.1 billion people, many of them young adults, in danger of hearing loss and the perceived perception that comes with it. Hearing loss is, in fact, one of a young adult’s greatest health threats. The reluctance to get help persists even as the amount of people with hearing loss grows. What is the effect on overall health?

What is The Perception of Hearing Loss?

By definition, stigma means a brand that marks a person as inferior and that more or less tells the story. Many people with hearing loss are concerned they will seem older than they actually are, less healthy, or less able.

Historically, there is some basis for this worry. A 2010 study found people were not as well accepted when they had hearing loss. But that research is based on data nearly a decade old. This perception is improving as hearing loss becomes more commonplace. Sophisticated, stylish, and fun technology is currently available that even has celebrities openly wearing hearing aids. Also helping to change hearts and minds, research reveals that getting treatment might delay or prevent other health problems connected to aging such as cognitive decline and dementia. In spite of this, many people still don’t get the treatment they really need.

What Difference Does it Make?

There are health repercussions for not getting treatment, so don’t allow your anxiety about negative perception stop you from seeking help. More people get colonoscopies than hearing tests according to an AARP survey. Not having a hearing exam because you refuse to acknowledge your hearing loss will affect your health as you get older.

Consequences of Undiagnosed or Untreated Hearing Loss

Your overall health will be impacted by these physical consequences;

Fatigue

Everything in life is more challenging when you are working hard to hear. You have to work harder than others to hear conversations and sounds. You also need to be more careful to protect your safety because you can’t hear alert sounds or cars approaching. Just working hard to hear everyday sounds can lead to chronic fatigue.

Common Headaches and Migraines

Stress and fear can cause migraines and other types of headaches. You might not realize there is a correlation, but studies have demonstrated a link between migraines and certain types of hearing loss. Your brain needs to make up for what you can’t hear, so even if you’re not prone to migraines, the constant effort can give you a headache.

Mental Health

You could also be facing mental health problems as a result of your untreated loss of hearing like depression and social anxiety. Social isolation is increased by hearing loss and it can also lead to dementia. Moodiness and reduced energy levels go along with these other challenges.

Conquering Negative Perceptions of Hearing Loss

Taking the first step and seek out help if you want to conquer these negative perceptions. If you are losing your hearing, it is treatable. Recognize that you are the one that suffers if you won’t get help.

You also might be stressing out for no reason because not all hearing loss is permanent. Something as simple as earwax buildup could be the cause, but you won’t know for sure unless you schedule an appointment to get a hearing test.

Make sure you do something about it if you find out that you do have hearing loss. Nowadays you can get hearing aids in many shapes and sizes. More inconspicuous styles are available if you are concerned about people finding out you have hearing loss.

Most importantly, show everyone that you have plenty of confidence in spite of your hearing loss. You can be just as active and healthy as everyone else, so wear your hearing aids with self-confidence. Your attitude will change people’s perception not only of you, but of everyone who experiences hearing loss. Increase awareness and stay healthy by not giving in to negative perceptions.

You don’t have to be less capable if you have hearing loss, because it’s actually a medical condition. Make an appointment to have a hearing test today.