The Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss

Treating Hearing Loss

Untreated hearing loss has multifaceted effects that reach beyond reducing your hearing ability. Hearing loss symptoms strain communication – an essential way we navigate daily life. This impacts relationships, work attainment, and performance, deteriorates social life and has several health implications. Treating hearing loss addresses and alleviates this cumulative toll and offers numerous life-changing benefits.

Enhanced Overall Health

Treating hearing loss significantly improves physical and mental health in a variety of ways. Extensive research has shown that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of experiencing cognitive decline. This includes a 2019 study that showed that people with severe hearing loss were more than twice as likely to experience cognitive decline than those without hearing loss.

Hearing aids, the most common treatment for hearing loss, reduce this risk by strengthening cognitive functions. Studies have shown that the support hearing aids provide, improves neural networks and brain health. Additional benefits of hearing loss treatment include:

When hearing loss remains untreated, people often unconsciously isolate themselves. Social withdrawal is a common effect of untreated hearing loss, occurring because conversations become all too difficult to navigate with symptoms. This increases the risk of depression- a 2015 study found that participants with hearing loss were twice as likely to experience depression. Treating hearing loss strengthens communication which enriches various aspects of life: relationships, social interaction, etc. This alleviates depressive symptoms and boosts wellness.

Communication is essential for sustaining relationships. Untreated hearing loss can deteriorate communication which strains relationships. Various studies have shown the toll untreated hearing loss can take on relationships - people often report feeling ignored, unheard, and frustrated with their loved one with hearing loss. In a 2009 study, 44% of people reported their hearing loss had a negative impact on their relationships, and 34% reported that the breakdown was significant enough that it led to the complete loss of the relationship.

Treatment transforms hearing and communication in critical ways that positively shift relationships. Hearing aids help people hear and process sound with greater ease. This allows wearers to fully participate and engage in conversations. Day to day interactions and conversations are foundational for healthy relationships. Being able to be completely present and active in these conversations and spending quality time facilitates intimacy and closeness.

Improved Career Outcomes

Nearly 1 in 6 or 48 million people have some degree of hearing loss. It is estimated that 60% of people with hearing loss are in the workforce. Untreated hearing loss can impact work-life in a few ways. It can make communication difficult which affects job performance and productivity as well as reduced earning potential. In a 2015 study on the socioeconomic impact of hearing loss, researchers found that people with hearing loss were nearly 1.6 times as likely to earn less than $20,000 per year, and almost 2 times as likely to be underemployed or unemployed than participants without hearing loss.

Research has also shown that treatment significantly closes these gaps. The use of hearing aids reduces this risk of lowered income by strengthening communication which has positive implications for job performance. In a study conducted by the Better Hearing Institute, researchers found that the use of hearing aids reduced the risk of lower-earning potential by 90-100%.

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Hearing Solutions with Manhattan Audiology

Treating hearing loss helps boost your confidence, independence, and wellness. Being able to navigate daily life without the disruption of hearing loss symptoms allows you to communicate effectively. This nurtures relationships, social connections, and supports your ability to participate fully in activities. With hearing aids, people can hear sounds they likely have not heard in quite some time.

Familiarizing yourself with new sounds increases your connection with your environment. Being able to spend quality time with others, hear jokes, and feel more present in the moment helps restore the joy and fun of these social interactions. Treating hearing loss can truly transform the quality of your life, and we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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