Putting off on essential appointments, like your hearing aid fitting, is all too easy amidst the hustle and bustle of day-to-day events. You may even find yourself hesitating to order hearing aids altogether. But hearing loss impacts more than just your ears and delaying treatment can have detrimental effects on your entire life.
The link to mental decline
A clear link between cognitive decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
The impact on hearing
Naturally, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to maintaining your auditory health. You unintentionally cause more harm to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing exam or hearing aids if you need them.
The advancement of your hearing loss will be accelerated if you constantly need to crank up the volume on your devices. Wearing a hearing aid can help alleviate this by selectively amplifying particular frequencies, thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection between neglected hearing loss and cognitive function
There’s a direct link between your sense of hearing and your brain. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can have considerable repercussions on cognitive function. Over time, cognitive decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety caused by social separation.
Also, the recovery of normal hearing function can be complicated because untreated hearing loss will force the brain to adjust by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
The brain’s remarkable ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this situation. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, prolonged untreated hearing loss can lead to significant rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to revert to previous functionality.
But it is possible to undo this effect. Despite previous delays in seeking treatment, using hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still provide substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Make an appointment with a hearing specialist
You should obviously find treatment as soon as you can, but even if you’ve delayed for a while, it’s not too late to seek help. If you’re ready to enjoy improved hearing and stronger mental function, call us today for an assessment!