Hearing loss impacts hearing, mental, and physical health in various ways. A recent study shows that untreated hearing loss can reduce physicality and mobility in everyday life.
Link Between Hearing Loss and Reduced Physicality
Substantial research shows that hearing loss can take a toll on mobility as well as physicality. Physicality includes making physical movements, the capacity to engage in everyday physical activities, as well as balance. Two studies that reveal a significant correlation between hearing loss and reduced physicality, as well as mobility, include:
- 2021 Study Published in JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery. Based in Spain, researchers conducted a study to evaluate the impact of hearing loss on physical function, faulty, and disability in older adults. They did this by evaluating the hearing and physical capacities of 1644 people who were 65 and older. Participants had their hearing evaluated and physicality was assessed through various tests that measured the ability to perform everyday tasks, physical movements, weight, and balance. Of the 1644 participants, 13.6% had hearing loss and after assessing the data, researchers found an association between impaired lower extremity function, frailty syndrome, and disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).
- 2015 Study by the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Tampere. Researchers based in Finland investigated the impact hearing loss has on mobility. This study involved 848 people, ages 75-90, whose hearing capacities and mobility were evaluated for two years. The key finding from this study was that people with hearing loss were more than twice as likely to limit their movements compared to people without hearing loss. Reduced mobility encompasses limited physical engagement, spending less time with family and friends, and reduced participation in everyday activities/hobbies.
These studies are part of the extensive research highlighting the impact hearing loss has on physical health.
Impact of Hearing Loss on Physical Health
Hearing loss reduces hearing capacity which is an essential way we navigate everyday life. Hearing is integral to communication, relationships, and social engagement. So a reduced capacity to hear and process speech, as well as sound, has numerous effects that impact social, mental, and physical health in significant ways including:
- Strains communication: hearing loss produces numerous symptoms that take a toll on communication. Symptoms like tinnitus (ringing noise in the ears), distortion of sounds, and challenges hearing speech in settings with background noise make it difficult to engage in conversations. Conversations often require more work and energy for people with hearing loss which can also be an exhausting and unpleasant experience.
- This leads to social withdrawal: strained communication can lead to people avoiding conversations entirely. This includes skipping out on social events, spending less time with loved ones, not participating in social activities, etc. Social withdrawal is a significant effect of untreated hearing loss. Extensive research shows that this can increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms which people with hearing loss can be more likely to experience.
- Increases health risks: in addition to depressive symptoms, untreated hearing loss also increases the risk of cognitive decline, falls, and accidental injuries. This can also affect mobility and overall health.
These outcomes result in people with hearing loss becoming less active and engaged which reduces mobility as well as physicality.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Treating hearing loss offers countless benefits including improving mobility and physicality. Hearing loss is commonly treated with hearing aids which are electronic devices that help process speech as well as sound. This provides the ears and brain with significant support which alleviates symptoms and increases the capacity to hear. Hearing aids allow people to readily hear and respond, supporting an easeful engagement in conversations. People are better able to navigate all environments with greater awareness and capacity to communicate. Strengthened communication also improves relationships, social life, and overall health. Hearing aids reduce health risks and boost cognitive as well as physical health. Treatment enables people to live actively and fully participate in a range of activities that supports physicality and enhances the overall quality of life.
The first step you can take to prioritize your hearing health and access treatment is to have your hearing evaluated. Contact us today to learn more about hearing loss treatment and to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.