5 Reasons Why to NOT Put Off Hearing Health

When it comes to your health, it’s best to never procrastinate when you think there are issues. A growth on your skin shouldn’t be ignored, a pain in your joints or backs can’t be ignored, and even your own hearing, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are 5 reasons why you should definitely not be putting off checking on your hearing health.

Untreated hearing loss leads to a weaker brain

Hearing is very important to healthy brain functionality. Your ears my hear the sound, but your brain processes it and lets you know just what that noise is. Studies in the past have shown that when you have hearing loss, your brain focuses on strengthening other senses like vision and touch.Keeping your ears healthy, makes your brain healthy in return.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Brain atrophy in older adults may also be the reason why those with untreated hearing loss are more at risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. indicate that taking care of your hearing loss may be one way to lower your risk of developing these conditions. Avoid health problems later in life, by checking your hearing now.

At Risk for Physical Harm

Here’s another unhealthy side effect of hearing loss — it affects the vestibular system and leads to an increased risk of falling. Falls are the leading cause of accidental death over the age of 65.

A study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the National Institute of Aging determined that even a mild case of hearing loss tripled the risk of an accidental fall. That risk increases by 140 percent for every ten decibels of hearing loss. In study testing, those with hearing aids were able to maintain their balance twice as long as when their hearing aids were turned off.

Emotional health

Your emotional health is also at risk when you neglect your hearing health. A study by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders discovered that eleven percent of those with untreated hearing loss had depression compared to only five percent of the general population. When your health is poor, you don’t feel well, and you aren’t excited about the things in life you once loved.

Mental Exhaustion

If you find getting through the day is more tiring than normal and your physician says your health is fine, make an appointment with your hearing healthcare professional. Your brain may be working so hard to make sense of the sound in your environment that it’s literally wearing you out. The condition is known as listening fatigue. Fortunately, hearing aids can help and provide you the comfort you’ve always needed.