Amidst hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too easy to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You may not even get around to shopping for hearing aids at all. However, delaying treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a mistake concerning your ears alone.
Untreated hearing loss can result in a greater risk of cognitive decline
Scientists have demonstrated a clear connection between neglected hearing loss and cognitive decline. This underscores the crucial importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have adverse effects on your brain function also.
The impact on hearing
Obviously, it’s evident that putting off treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to maintaining your auditory health. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or delaying the purchase of hearing aids, you unintentionally subject your ears to additional damage.
The advancement of your hearing loss will be quickened if you continuously need to crank up the volume on your devices. Using a hearing aid can help alleviate this by selectively amplifying specific frequencies, thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are closely connected. Cognitive function can be severely impacted by untreated hearing loss according to some significant research. Social isolation, frequently a consequence of diminished hearing, can result in mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which in turn can worsen mental decline over time.
Also, the restoration 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
In this situation, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, extended untreated hearing loss can result in considerable 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 put off on getting treatment for some time.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
You should obviously find treatment as soon as possible, but even if you’ve put off for a while, it’s not too late to seek help. If you’re ready to enjoy improved hearing and stronger mental function, call us today for an assessment!