Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, with approximately one in three people between 65 and 74 experiencing difficulty hearing. Hearing loss can leave you feeling disconnected from those around you. In many cases, it can lead to frustration, irritability, anxiety and depression. Despite the negative effects of living with untreated hearing loss, it takes an average of seven years for people to seek help for their condition.
After so many years of living with hearing loss, it can feel like the easy choice to keep avoiding treatment. Let’s take a look at a few ways treatment with hearing aids can improve your life and help you take that leap.
Hearing Aids Helps You Stay Connected
Trouble understanding speech can cause you to withdraw from social situations and feel disconnected from those around you. Hearing aids identify and amplify speech sounds while suppressing background noise to help you reconnect with friends and family, leading to a more fulfilled social life.
Hearing Aids Promote Independence
We rely on our hearing to alert us to warning cues and safety information, like the honking of a car or someone telling you to duck in Griffith Park before a frisbee comes your way. Living with hearing loss can leave you feeling shaky and uncertain navigating the world alone. By starting treatment with hearing aids, you can feel more confident knowing you aren’t missing the important safety cues you need to navigate the world independently.
Hearing Aids May Help Decrease Cognitive Decline
One 2017 study identified age-related hearing loss as a possible biomarker and modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, impairment and dementia. A 2023 study found that hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline in older adults with a high risk of dementia by nearly 50% over a three-year period. While more research is necessary to understand the full effect hearing aids may have on reducing the risk of cognitive decline, these studies show a promising correlation.
Seeking hearing treatment as a senior can leave you with newfound confidence in social situations, greater independence and decreased risk of cognitive decline. Don’t wait seven years to start experiencing the benefits of hearing loss treatment. Contact The House Institute today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.