Loss of hearing – it’s generally considered a fact of life as we age. Lots of older Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears. But for such an accepted ailment many people still deny they deal with loss of hearing.
A new study from Canada posits that over half of all middle aged or older Canadians cope with some kind of loss of hearing, but that 77% of those individuals don’t report any concerns. Some type of hearing loss is impacting over 48 million Americans and untreated. It’s up for debate whether this denial is on purpose or not, but either way, hearing loss is disregarded by a substantial number of individuals – which could result in substantial problems later on in life.
Why do Some People Not Know They Suffer From Loss of Hearing?
It’s a complex question. Hearing loss is a slow process, and trouble comprehending people and hearing things go unnoticed. Or, more frequently, they could 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, numerous things that hearing loss can be blamed on, and having a hearing examination or getting checked out, normally, is not a person’s first reaction.
On the other hand, there may be some individuals who know they have hearing loss but refuse to accept it. Another study conducted in the United States shows that lots of seniors simply deny that they have a hearing problem. They do everything they can to cover up their problem, either they perceive a stigma around hearing loss or because they don’t like to admit to having an issue.
The problem with both of these scenarios is that by denying or not noticing you have a hearing problem you could actually be negatively impacting your general health.
There Can be Extreme Repercussions From Neglected Hearing Loss
Hearing loss does not only impact your ears – it has been linked to different ailments like anxiety, cognitive decline, and depression, and it can also be a symptom of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Research has revealed that people who have managed their hearing loss using cognitive therapy, changes of diet and hearing aids have better general health and longer life expectancy.
It’s important to recognize the signs of hearing loss – difficulty carrying on conversations, cranking up the volume on the TV and radio, or a chronic humming or ringing in your ears.
How Can You Manage Hearing Loss?
You can get your hearing loss under control using several treatments. Hearing aids are the most common type of treatment, and hearing aid technology has developed by leaps and bounds over the last few years so it’s not likely you’ll encounter the same issues your grandparents or parents did. Hearing aids can now filter out background noise and wind, while also connecting wirelessly to devices like your TV, tablet, or radio.
A dietary changes could affect the health of your hearing if you have anemia. Eating more foods that are high in iron has been shown to help people deal with tinnitus and loss of hearing since iron deficiency anemia has been shown to cause loss of hearing.
The most important thing you can do, though, is to have your hearing tested routinely.
Are you worried you might have hearing troubles? Make an appointment for a hearing assessment.
