Hearing and Your Health: What You Need to Know

Have you found yourself struggling to hear in everyday conversations with friends, family, or coworkers? Maybe you’ve noticed you can’t pick up some of the dialogue in the movie you’re watching. There are many reasons our hearing can decline as we age. What’s important is identifying the cause of that decline and slowing its progress, so that you can get the most out of the hearing you have left. This starts with getting screened by a licensed audiologist.

It’s possible you may benefit from assistive technology such as a hearing aid. Perhaps you’ve been hesitant to see an audiologist or even consider such a step. But here are a few reasons that might help to convince you.

Hearing loss affects relationships
When our hearing starts to decline, we often attempt to hide it from friends and family or play it off. But it’s actually best to loop your loved ones in. They are important allies in helping you get the most out of the hearing you have left. Whether it’s adjusting their speaking volumes, turning to make sure you can see their faces, or turning off background noise, those around you play an important role in helping you adjust to your hearing challenges.

Hearing loss may precede other negative outcomes
When not addressed and acknowledged, hearing loss can contribute to social isolation, which in turn is a risk factor for any number of negative health outcomes, including depression, substance abuse, heart disease, and diabetes. Staying active and socially engaged improves your quality of life and helps you maintain better overall mental and physical health. Sometimes that requires assistive technology.

Hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline
When you’re not engaged in meaningful conversations over time, it can alter your brain’s ability to process speech and communicate. People with hearing loss need to work harder to hear and process speech, and this often comes at the expense of memory. According to the American Academy of Audiology, hearing loss leads to social isolation, which is also a known risk factor for dementia.

The bottom line is that choosing to do nothing about hearing loss can cause more than just an inconvenience for family and friends—it can affect your overall physical and mental health. Don’t let hearing loss dictate your future—see an audiologist today!

The Casa Colina Audiology Center is offering free hearing screenings for adults who may be experiencing hearing difficulties. Our licensed audiologists and hearing aid dispenser provide the most comprehensive assessment and hearing care available in the region. For more information, or to schedule a screening, call 909/450-0304.