Untreated Hearing Loss and Your Well-being

While many people may

be aware that they are

experiencing some

hearing difficulty, they

often fear the label of

having a hearing loss. As

such, many suffering with

decreased hearing sensitivity do not and will not

seek help. Others are in denial that a hearing

impairment exists – the loss may have come on

gradually and compensations made or they feel

they do well enough without any help. Many people

believe decreased hearing is a big handicap or

weakness that they are too embarrassed to admit.

Therefore, a large number of hearing impaired

people do not get help or delay help for years

before seeking diagnosis and treatment.

Unfortunately, this not only damages their hearing

health, but also their overall well-being!

Extending the time span of hearing difficulty

without treatment has possible further detrimental

effects on hearing. Without a full auditory rich

environment, the brain “forgets” how to listen to

the sounds that are missing. For example, if you

have decreased hearing sensitivity in high pitches,

those pitches will slowly become less and less

familiar to the natural coding that occurs in the

brain. This is called auditory deprivation – going

without specific sound inputs for a long period of

time. The longer time span without treatment, the

harder treatment will be at a later date. It is better

to seek treatment quickly to lessen these possible

effects.

Overall quality of life and even physical health

effects have been traced to untreated hearing

impairment. Implications of decreased hearing

extend much further than just your “hearing”.

Much research has shown connections between

untreated hearing impairment and negative social,

psychological, vocational, cognitive, and physical

health effects. Forgoing treatment can go as far as

impacting all aspects of a person’s life. It may

make work more difficult, job opportunities shrink,

social conversation complicated. Some with

untreated hearing impairment are so vexed by the

impacts that they begin to withdraw entirely from

social situations into isolation. Many may not even

realize that withdrawal is what is going on. The

hearing impaired person may feel that they just

“no longer enjoy” such and such activities, while

the significant other may feel that other reasons

are causing the isolation (e.g., no longer being

interested in the significant other, being

upset/angry with the significant other, etc.). Such

impacts lead to confusion and hurt feelings, even if

it is inadvertent.

You are not alone in your struggles. Do not delay

help any longer, and, if you have delayed, “better

late, than never.” While you may already be

dealing with the negative impacts of your

untreated hearing difficulties, further damage and

impact may be prevented with decisive action! A

hearing healthcare professional is waiting to help

you meet your goals. If you think that you or a

family member might be suffering from hearing

loss, call today for your appointment!

For More Information, Call Hearing Aids Today At: (615) 457-8600

Or

Visit Us At:

http://hearing-aids-nashville-tn.com