Between hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too easy to put off important appointments, like those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may even find yourself hesitating to get hearing aids altogether. But hearing loss impacts more than just your ears and delaying treatment can have detrimental effects on your whole life.
The link to mental decline
A clear connection between mental decline and untreated hearing loss has been established by scientists and researchers. This underscores the critical importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have negative effects on your mental function too.
The impact on hearing
Naturally, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t helpful for maintaining your auditory health. You inadvertently cause more damage to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing examination or hearing aids if you need them.
The progression of your hearing loss will be quickened if you constantly need to crank up the volume on your devices. Hearing aids can boost specific frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive function
There’s a close link between your sense of hearing and your brain. Cognitive function can be severely impacted by untreated hearing loss according to some significant research. Over time, mental decline can be worsened by depression and anxiety brought on by social isolation.
Also, the restoration of normal hearing function can be complicated because neglected hearing loss will force the brain to adapt by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this situation, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, sustained neglected hearing loss can lead to significant rewiring of the brain, making it difficult to revert to previous functionality.
But it is possible to reverse this effect. Despite previous delays in seeking treatment, using hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still provide substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Set up an appointment with a hearing specialist
You should obviously seek treatment as soon as you can, but even if you’ve delayed for a while, it’s not too late to get help. Scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible is crucial, ensuring you can enjoy better hearing and cognitive function going forward. Call today!