Hearing loss is widely undertreated. In fact, only one-third of people who have hearing loss actually receive treatment for it. Untreated hearing loss can have multifaceted effects on everyday life, relationships, and health. Hearing loss strains communication which impacts one’s ability to engage in conversations. Over time, untreated hearing loss can also increase health risks. Extensive research shows that it can increase the risk of depressive symptoms, falls, and cognitive decline. This emphasized the importance of scheduling a hearing test and treating hearing loss.
Widespread Inaction on Hearing Loss
It takes an average of 7 years for people to treat hearing loss symptoms. This reveals what extensive research shows: there is widespread inaction when it comes to hearing loss. This includes a significant study conducted by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To examine the scope of untreated hearing loss, researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of nearly 2,500 adults and found that:
- 2 in 10 adults have had a hearing test in the past 5 years, compared to 6 in 10 adults who have had their vision tested.
- More than 51% of people reported hearing issues but only 11% have sought treatment.
- 78% of those with hearing issues have been experiencing these challenges for 1 or more years, and over 35% have had trouble for 5 or more years.
This data highlights the deprioritizing of hearing health and the lack of seeking treatment even when symptoms have been experienced for a substantial amount of time.
Why People Avoid Treatment
Understanding why hearing loss treatment tends to be avoided can help illuminate the importance of intervening to address symptoms. Common reasons that treatment is delayed include:
- Progressive onset: hearing loss typically occurs gradually. This allows symptoms to go unnoticed for quite some time as people naturally adjust to the changes they are experiencing in their hearing health. People may not recognize their hearing loss until symptoms worsen.
- Stigma: people may also feel embarrassed about changes to hearing. There is still a stigma attached to hearing loss which is informed by people often thinking it only impacts aging adults. People may also view hearing loss as a disability that will hold them back which makes it challenging to acknowledge and confront that it is happening.
- Misconceptions: there are numerous misconceptions about hearing loss that often delays treatment. This includes that it only affects elderly adults, it is curable, and not a big deal if you still are able to hear. It is important to know that people of all ages are impacted by hearing loss which is a permanent medical condition that reduces the capacity to hear and has countless effects on everyday life.
Understanding that hearing loss is a serious and chronic medical condition with hearing solutions that can also transform hearing health can motivate you to seek treatment early.
Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss
Treating hearing loss offers life-changing benefits that support people living active lives. There is a range of hearing healthcare services, solutions, and technologies that prioritize healthy hearing. The most common treatment of hearing loss is hearing aids which are electronic devices that help absorb and process sound. This provides significant benefits including:
- Strengthens communication: hearing aids provide the ears and brain with ample support, making it easier to hear. This alleviates hearing loss symptoms and enables people to engage in conversations with greater ease. People are better able to participate in and navigate communication.
- Improves relationships: communication is integral to relationships. People often report feeling ignored and frustrated by their loved one with hearing loss which strains the relationship. Treatment supports effective communication, quality time, and the capacity to engage in everyday activities and tasks easily. This nurtures connection and improves relationships.
- Boosts overall health: treatment also alleviates the various health risks associated with untreated hearing loss. This includes cognitive decline, falls, and depressive symptoms. Hearing aids increase spatial awareness and safety as well as enrich social engagement and relationships. Additionally, hearing aids also strengthen cognitive functions which support brain health.
Treating hearing loss can transform your hearing health and enhance your quality of life. You can best support your hearing health by contacting us to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. We look forward to helping you prioritize your hearing health and wellness.
