Untreated Hearing Loss and Your Well-being While many people may be aware that they are experiencing hearing
some
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