Why Do I Need to Take Care of My Hearing Loss Now?
Every day at Amplifon Hearing Health Care, we get questions from consumers about hearing loss and hearing aids. In this series of special blog posts, one of our resident hearing health care experts, Carrie Meyer, Au.D., Director of Clinical Programs, answers some of the most frequently asked questions.
Here's the question:
"I know that my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be. But I don’t think it’s all that bad. Why do I need to take care of my hearing loss right now?”
Dr. Meyer's answer
This might be the number-one question people have about their hearing health! I’d like to share five reasons why it makes sense to get treatment for hearing loss sooner rather than later.
Five reasons to take care of your hearing loss now
Hearing often declines slowly, typically over a period of years. In many cases, this gradual deterioration allows people to adjust to their own hearing loss and not realize how bad it is. Family and friends of the hearing-impaired individual usually provide a good “barometer” of how significant the problem is. Do family and friends have to frequently repeat themselves? Are they bothered by TV or radio volume that’s “too loud?” These are just a couple common indicators that the hearing loss needs prompt attention.
Secondly, do you avoid restaurants or social situations that you once enjoyed? Social isolation is a major risk factor for individuals with untreated hearing loss. A national survey conducted by the Seniors Research Group found that only 32% of non-hearing aid wearers with hearing loss regularly participated in social activities, compared to 42% of hearing aid wearers.
While social isolation definitely has an impact on quality of life, the consequences of untreated hearing loss can be far more serious. Specifically, a number of studies have concluded that hearing loss correlates to an increased risk of life-altering health conditions, including:
- Up to five times higher risk of dementia (Johns Hopkins study)
- A 47% elevated risk of depression among older adults (Ear Science Institute)
- A three-fold higher risk of experiencing an injury-causing fall (NHANES)
A growing number of health benefit plans are starting to include a hearing benefit. Depending on your plan's benefit, you may be able to save money on the purchase of high-quality hearing aids, as well as the cost of related services and hearing aid batteries.
If you are on Medicare, open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 — your opportunity to choose (or switch to) a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a hearing benefit. Be sure to carefully evaluate details of the plan’s hearing health care coverage, such as the proximity of participating providers to you, number of available hearing aid brands and models, how much in out-of-pocket expenses you’ll incur and what’s included with the hearing aids.
Good hearing matters
