Putting off on important appointments, like your hearing aid fitting, is all too easy amidst the hustle and bustle of day-to-day events. You might not even get around to shopping for hearing aids whatsoever. However, putting off on treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to a greater risk of cognitive decline
Scientists have demonstrated a clear link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive decline. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
The impact on hearing
If you care about your hearing health, it’s important to never disregard any symptoms of hearing loss. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or delaying the purchase of hearing aids, you inadvertently subject your ears to further damage.
The progression of your hearing loss will be accelerated if you constantly need to crank up the volume on your devices. Hearing aids can amplify specific frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the development of hearing loss.
The link between untreated hearing loss and mental function
Your brain and your hearing are intricately connected. Research indicates that untreated hearing loss can have substantial repercussions on cognitive function. Over time, mental decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety brought on by social separation.
Also, the restoration of healthy hearing function can be complicated because untreated hearing loss will force the brain to adjust by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, prolonged neglected hearing loss can lead to significant rewiring of the brain, making it difficult to return to previous functionality.
However, it isn’t impossible to reverse these effects. In both the short and the long term, utilizing hearing aids can bring considerable benefits even if you’ve held off on getting treatment for some time.
Set up an appointment with a hearing specialist
You should obviously seek treatment as soon as possible, but even if you’ve put off for a while, it’s not too late to seek help. Making an appointment with us as soon as possible is important, ensuring you can enjoy improved hearing and cognitive function going forward. Call today!