Putting off on essential appointments, like your hearing aid fitting, is all too easy amidst the hustle and bustle of day-to-day events. You may even find yourself hesitating to order hearing aids altogether. However, putting off on treatment for hearing loss is a lot more than just a mistake concerning your ears alone.
The link to mental decline
A clear connection between cognitive decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This underscores the crucial importance of not delaying treatment, as it can have negative effects on your brain function too.
The impact on hearing
Obviously, it’s evident that delaying treatment for hearing loss isn’t helpful for maintaining your auditory health. You inadvertently cause more damage to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing exam or hearing aids if you need them.
The progression of your hearing loss will be quickened if you constantly need to crank up the volume on your devices. Hearing aids can amplify particular frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the development of hearing loss.
The connection to cognitive function
There’s a close connection between your sense of hearing and your brain. Cognitive function can be severely impacted by untreated hearing loss according to some significant research. Over time, cognitive decline can be worsened by depression and anxiety caused by social separation.
Moreover, long-term untreated hearing loss prompts the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from auditory processing to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of healthy hearing function down the road.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this situation, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, sustained neglected hearing loss can result in significant rewiring of the brain, making it challenging to return to previous functionality.
But it is possible to undo this effect. Despite previous delays in seeking treatment, utilizing hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still provide substantial benefits in both the short and long term.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to deal with hearing loss. If you’re ready to enjoy better hearing and stronger cognitive function, call us today for an assessment!
