Between hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too easy to put off essential appointments, like those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may even find yourself hesitating to order hearing aids altogether. However, delaying treatment for hearing loss is a lot more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
The link to mental decline
Scientists have proven a clear link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive decline. This underscores the crucial importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have negative effects on your brain function too.
The impact on hearing
If you care about your hearing health, it’s essential to never disregard any symptoms of hearing loss. You unintentionally cause more harm to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing examination or hearing aids if you need them.
You may find yourself continually boosting the volume on your various devices, worsening the damage to your ears and accelerating the progression of hearing loss. Hearing aids can increase particular frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the development of hearing loss.
The connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are closely connected. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can have considerable repercussions on mental function. Social isolation, frequently a consequence of weakened hearing, can result in mental health problems including depression and anxiety, which in turn can worsen cognitive decline over time.
Also, the restoration 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
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, extended untreated hearing loss can result in significant rewiring of the brain, making it difficult to revert to previous functionality.
But it is possible to reverse this effect. In both the short and the long term, utilizing hearing aids can bring considerable benefits even if you’ve held off on getting treatment for some time.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
While quick treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. Scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible is crucial, ensuring you can enjoy improved hearing and mental function moving forward. Call today!