Hearing loss disconnects us from the people and things we love, and it can impact our health in serious ways.
But the fact remains; over 3 million Australians struggle with hearing loss, and most of them put off doing anything about it for as long as possible – even after their health and relationships start to suffer.
ABC broadcaster ‘ and putting off getting hearing aids until he drove his nearest and dearest mad.
Can you relate?
Hearing loss affects our health and relationships
You can’t communicate who you really are when you can’t hear what people are saying to you. Hearing loss puts you at a disadvantage in group situations and background noise. It can be exhausting trying to follow conversations, so it’s not uncommon for people with unaddressed hearing loss to become withdrawn. This can lead to severe depression.
Our loved ones often feel the same emotions, because they’re affected and isolated by our withdrawal.
In regards to health, the information coming out is quite alarming; hearing loss – even mild hearing loss, is linked to dementia and cognitive decline. It also increases our risk of falls because our balance centre is affected.
Read these posts to learn more about the complications of untreated hearing loss:
It’s important to act fast when it comes to hearing loss
Confronting hearing loss as soon as possible makes it easier to deal with. The longer you leave it, the harder it is for your brain to comprehend certain sounds. A hearing aid prevents the deterioration of your ability to relearn to interpret sounds, and will help you avoid intensive auditory rehabilitation.
Getting (and wearing!) hearing aids sooner rather than later will help you avoid the side effects of hearing loss, and they’ll give you the freedom and confidence to be yourself again.
When they finally get around to purchasing hearing aids, many people comment that they wish they’d done something about their hearing years ago.
Remember life before hearing loss?
The decision to wear hearing aids can truly transform every area of your life. Imagine all the things you could do when you are no longer tired from the strain of having to listen closely to every word.
Doing nothing about your hearing loss can be hard on those around you – lift the burden and enjoy life instead!
So if you’re tired of ‘faking it’, take a hearing test and talk to a trusted professional about your options. It’s also important to head to your GP at the first sign of hearing loss, to rule out an underlying health condition.
If you’ve already taken the plunge and are currently enjoying life with hearing aids, I’d love to hear about your ‘before and after’ experience. Please share your story in the comments below 🙂