Treating Hearing Loss Can Help Prevent Other Health Issues

How Common is Hearing Loss

Many people might be shocked to learn how common disabling hearing loss is. Studies estimate that it affects more than 38 million and perhaps as many as 48 million Americans, around 13% of the total population over the age of 18. These numbers mean it is more common than diabetes, and three times more common than cancer.

Almost three out of every 1,000 children in the US are born with congenital hearing loss. This means some degree of detectable hearing loss is present at birth due some anomaly in the inner workings of the ear, viral infection, or complications at birth. But this is not particularly genetic. Over 90% of these children are born to hearing parents. But among that percentage of our population suffering from disabling hearing loss, this congenital group is the exception.

Among those ages 18-44 6.3% suffer from compromised hearing. and This percentage steadily increases with age. 13.6% of those aged 45-64 are effected. Almost one-third of people aged 65-74 are impacted and over half of everyone over the age of 75 lives like this. Most troubling is that studies estimate that more than two-thirds of these people do not seek proper diagnosis or treatment. and As our population ages, these numbers will continue to increase. and Few people think this through to truly face the impacts that hearing loss can have on one’s overall health.

CAUSES

There are plenty of potential causes that may damage hearing over time. Some professions necessitate repeated exposure to loud volumes that pose a risk, for example construction or factory work. Some are recreational habits like attending loud concerts or the roar of a stadium cheering a professional sports team.

SYMPTOMS

Diminished hearing may be tough to recognize in yourself. We are each so familiar with our own bodies, depending on the fidelity of our senses, it’s often difficult to notice subtle changes. You don’t notice your fingernails or hair have grown until the change is decisively noticeable. You probably won’t notice you have put on a pound or two until you have put on five. The same is true of your hearing.

Will you likely notice if you have turned the television up one more notch than usual. Will you think anything of it if you have to ask a family member calling out to you from another room to repeat herself?

But often the symptoms are more apparent in others that we are close to. We will notice if someone is constantly asking us to repeat ourselves. We will notice if someone we live with keeps the radio at an intrusive volume. and Though it might be award to do so and you might think it is simpler just to live with it, it is important to speak up.

Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

Disabling hearing loss is more than just an inconvenience. Obviously it is a danger to navigate one’s environment with an impaired sense of orientation. Falls and collisions are much more likely. More subtle but no less meaningful, our relationships are hurt. Intimacy and trust are built upon nuanced communication. That literally can not happen when the rhythms of communication are thrown off and people are forced to repeat themselves and speak up and speak extra slowly. The sync of thought and expression is thrown off.

So much of our emotional and psychological grounding is rooted in our brief and occasional joyful returns to our memories. What happens when you can no longer hear that jingle that reminds you of the summertimes of your childhood? An old friend’s voice over the phone? These effects compound and commonly lead to feelings of isolation, loss of confidence, depression, cognitive decline and possibly even dementia. No good comes from being cut off from the world.

But let’s say, like many people, you flatter yourself resilient and think that you uniquely possess the necessary strength to cope with disabling hearing loss and withstand any of these common emotional and psychological side effects. Consider the studies.

Researchers compared those who treated their hearing loss with those who did not treat it and after 10 years the results are clear. Those that never sought treatment had 50% more hospital visits. They were almost 50% more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after these initial visits. Emergency room visits were 17% more likely for this group. and Though this group that did not seek treatment for their hearing loss did spend an average of $600 on issues directly related to their hearing problems over this 10 year period, in this same period they spent an average of $22,434 more on medical care than those who directly intervened and treated their hearing issues.

Furthermore, the expenses associated with the symptoms of living with untreated hearing loss—lower quality of life and higher unemployment—are estimated to be $133 billion annually, roughly $9,100 per year for each untreated person.

The Benefits Of Hearing Loss Treatment

There are now more treatment options than every before, whatever the specifics of your condition and your budget. You can return so easily to the intimacy and trust in your personal relationships. You can feel confident and connected, easy-breezy, and sharp. There are no advantages to enduring a disability. Make an appointment today to visit one of our specialists and turn your life around.