Amidst hectic schedules and the distractions of events, it’s all too simple to put off important appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. You may not even get around to shopping for hearing aids at all. However, putting off on treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
The connection to cognitive decline
A clear connection between cognitive decline and neglected hearing loss has been established by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
The impact on hearing
Obviously, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t helpful for maintaining your auditory health. You inadvertently cause more harm to your hearing if you delay getting a hearing test or hearing aids if you need them.
You might find yourself constantly boosting the volume on your various devices, exacerbating the damage to your ears and speeding up the progression of hearing loss. Hearing aids can boost specific frequencies of sound thereby delaying the advancement of hearing loss.
The link between untreated hearing loss and mental function
Your brain and your hearing are closely connected. Research indicates that neglected hearing loss can have considerable repercussions on mental function. Over time, cognitive decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety brought on by social isolation.
Moreover, prolonged untreated hearing loss causes the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from auditory processing to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of healthy hearing function later on.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this situation, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. The brain will have a difficult time reverting back to its previous state after it rewires itself to accommodate for prolonged untreated hearing loss.
However, it’s not impossible to undo these effects. Despite previous delays in getting treatment, utilizing hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still provide significant benefits in both the short and long term.
Call us for an appointment
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. Scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible is essential, ensuring you can enjoy improved hearing and mental function going forward. Call today!