Amidst hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too easy to put off important appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You might not even get around to shopping for hearing aids whatsoever. However, delaying treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
Untreated hearing loss can result in a greater risk of cognitive decline
A clear connection between mental decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
Hearing loss will worsen if it goes untreated
Obviously, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to preserving your auditory health. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or delaying the purchase of hearing aids, you inadvertently subject your ears to additional damage.
You might find yourself continually increasing the volume on your various devices, worsening the damage to your ears and accelerating the development of hearing loss. Wearing a hearing aid can help alleviate this by selectively amplifying particular frequencies, thereby slowing down the development of hearing loss.
The link to cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are closely linked. Research shows that neglected hearing loss can have significant consequences on cognitive function. Social solitude, often a consequence of diminished hearing, can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which in turn can worsen mental decline over time.
Also, the recovery of healthy hearing function can be complicated because neglected 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
The brain’s phenomenal ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this situation. The brain will have a difficult time reverting back to its previous state after it rewires itself to accommodate for extended untreated hearing loss.
But it is possible to undo this effect. In spite of previous delays in getting treatment, using hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still yield substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
While prompt treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to deal with hearing loss. Scheduling an appointment with us as soon as you can is crucial, ensuring you can enjoy better hearing and cognitive function moving forward. Call today!