Loss of hearing – it’s normally thought os as a given as we get older. Lots of older Americans suffer from some kind of hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears. But for such an accepted problem many people still won’t admit they suffer from hearing loss.
A new study from Canada reveals that hearing loss is experienced by over 50 percent of Canadians, but that 77% of those people don’t document any issues. Some kind of hearing loss is impacting over 48 million Americans and untreated. If this denial is deliberate or not is debatable, but either way, hearing loss is ignored by a considerable number of people – which could lead to significant problems later on in life.
Why do Some People Not Know They Suffer From Loss of Hearing?
It’s a tricky matter. It’s a gradual process when somebody loses their hearing, and trouble understanding people and hearing things go unnoticed. Or, more commonly, they may blame it on something else – the person they’re speaking to is mumbling, volumes aren’t turned up loud enough, or there’s too much background interference. There are, unfortunately, quite a few things that hearing loss can be blamed on, and getting a hearing test or getting checked out, normally, is not a person’s first reaction.
It also happens that some individuals just won’t acknowledge that they have hearing loss. Another study conducted in the United States shows that many seniors flat out deny that they have a hearing problem. They do everything they can to mask their problem, either because they don’t want to acknowledge a problem or because of perceived stigmas associated with hearing loss.
The concern with both of these scenarios is that by denying or not noticing you have a hearing problem you could actually be negatively influencing your overall health.
There Can be Extreme Consequences From Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing loss does not only impact your ears – high blood pressure and heart disease have also been linked to hearing loss as well as anxiety, depression, and mental decline.
Research has revealed that individuals who have addressed their loss of hearing using cognitive therapy, changes of diet and hearing aids have better general health and longer life expectancy.
It’s crucial to recognize the indications of hearing loss – persistent humming or ringing in the ears, problems carrying on conversations, having to turn up the volume of your radio or TV.
What Can You Do to Treat Hearing Loss?
You can control your hearing loss using several treatment options. Hearing aids are the form of treatment that is the most common, and hearing aid technology has developed by leaps and bounds over the past several years so it’s unlikely you’ll encounter the same problems your parents or grandparents did. Hearing aids can now filter out background noise and wind, while also wirelessly connecting to devices like your radio, TV, or tablet.
A changes in the way you eat may also have a healthy impact on your hearing health if you suffer from anemia. Consuming more foods that are rich in iron has been discovered to help people fight tinnitus and loss of hearing since iron deficiency anemia has been demonstrated to result in hearing loss.
Getting your hearing checked routinely, however, is the most important thing you can do.
Do you think that might have loss of hearing? Make an appointment for a hearing assessment.
