Hearing Health Blog

Couple in denial about their hearing loss laugh over misunderstanding.

Loss of hearing – it’s normally perceived as a given as we get older. Hearing loss is experienced by many older Americans and so is tinnitus or a ringing in the ears. But for such an accepted condition many people still deny they have loss of hearing.

A new study from Canada suggests that more than 50 percent of all middle aged or older Canadians cope with some type of loss of hearing, but no concerns were reported at all by over 77% percent of those. In the US, more than 48 million individuals have some type of hearing loss, but many do not try to deal with it. It’s up for debate whether this denial is on purpose or not, but in either case, loss of hearing is ignored by a considerable number of individuals – which could bring about substantial problems later on in life.

Why is Hearing Loss Missed by Some people?

It’s a challenging matter. Hearing loss is a gradual process, and trouble comprehending people and hearing things go undetected. Many times they blame everyone else around them – they think that everyone is mumbling, volumes aren’t turned up loud enough, or there’s too much background noise. There are, unfortunately, quite a few things that hearing loss can be blamed on, and people’s first reaction is not normally going to be to get examined or get a hearing test.

It also happens that some people just won’t acknowledge that they suffer from hearing loss. Another study conducted in the United States shows that lots of seniors who suffer from hearing problems flat out deny it. They hide their issue in any way they can, either because they don’t want to acknowledge a problem or because of perceived stigmas attached to hearing loss.

The concern is, you might be negatively affecting your overall health by neglecting your hearing loss.

Neglected Hearing Loss Can Have a Debilitating Affect

It’s not just your ears that are affected by loss of hearing – it has been linked to different conditions such as anxiety, cognitive decline, and depression, and it can also be a symptom of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Research has demonstrated that individuals who have managed their loss of hearing with cognitive therapy, diet changes and hearing aids have better overall health and longer life expectancy.

It’s important to recognize the signs of hearing loss – persistent humming or ringing in the ears, problems having conversations, having to turn up the volume of your radio or TV.

How Can You Manage Hearing Loss?

There are several treatment methods you can do to get your loss of hearing under control. Hearing aids are the type of treatment that is the most prevalent, and hearing aid tech has developed by leaps and bounds over the last few years so it’s unlikely you’ll have the same problems your grandparents or parents did. Hearing aids can now filter out background noise and wind, while also wirelessly connecting to devices like your TV, tablet, or radio.

A dietary changes may also have a positive impact on the health of your hearing if you have anemia. Since anemia iron deficiency has been demonstrated to cause loss of hearing, people who suffer from tinnitus can be helped by eating foods that are rich in iron.

The most essential thing you can do, though, is to have your hearing examined on a regular basis.

Do you suspect that might have hearing loss? Schedule an appointment for a hearing test.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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