The Personal Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
By: Amit Gosalia, Au.D.
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
Audiology Clinic, Inc, Vancouver, WA
One of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today, hearing loss affects more than 31.5 million Americans- most of whom are below retirement age.
Hearing loss can strike at any time and at any age. And when left unaddressed, hearing loss can affect virtually every aspect of an individual's life. Numerous studies, in fact, have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, avoidance or withdrawal from social situations, social rejection and loneliness, reduced alertness and increased risk of personal safety, impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced job performance and earning power, and diminished psychological and overall health.
Three in ten people over age 60 have hearing loss. And among Americans age 41 to 59, about 15 percent already have hearing problems- that's one in sixty baby boomers. Younger still, 74 percent- or one in 14- Generation Xers, ages 29 to 40, suffer from hearing loss. What's more, at least 1.4 million children, 18 or younger, have hearing problems. And it's estimated that 3 in 1,000 infants are born with serious to profound hearing loss.
Despite the numbers and the far-reaching impact hearing loss has on so many aspects of an individual's life, many people who are aware that their hearing has deteriorated are reluctant to seek help. Unfortunately, too many wait years, even decades, before getting treatment, becoming more and more disconnected as time goes by.
But the fact is that with modern advances in technology, there are solutions for many. In fact, 90 to 95 percent of people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids- and their quality of life significantly improved.
Socially, individuals with hearing loss may:
- Require frequent repetition
- Think that other people sound muffled or like they're mumbling
- Have difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like conferences, restaurants, malls, or crowded meeting rooms
- Keep the TV or radio turned up to a high volume
- Answer or respond inappropriately in conversations
- Read lips more intently watch people's faces when in conversation.
Emotionally, individuals with hearing loss may:
- Feel stressed from straining to hear what others are saying
- Feel annoyed at others because they can't hear or understand them
- Feel nervous about trying to hear and understand; and/or
- Withdraw from social situations that they once enjoyed.
Medically, individuals with hearing loss may:
- Have a family history of hearing loss
- Take medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic drugs)
- Have been exposed to very loud sounds over a long period or single exposure to explosive noise.
If you or someone you love has shown signs of a hearing impairment, seek out diagnosis and treatment options from a certified provider. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please visit our website to find the location nearest you.
