This is a question asked almost weekly in our Dunnellon Gardner Audiology Clinic.. Unlike vision, which people typically treat as soon as it starts failing them, treating hearing loss gets pushed off — sometimes up to 12 years, with the average being around 7 years.
We get it. You can’t do basic things like drive and read when your vision is compromised. Whereas with hearing impairment, it’s more gradual, can feel less detrimental, and is easier to compensate for, either by turning up the volume, asking people to repeat themselves, or just avoiding situations where you find it difficult to hear.
Over time, reduced stimulation to your ears and brain can impair the brain’s ability to process sound and recognize speech. The more speech recognition deteriorates, the more difficult it is to recover.
If you have any signs of hearing loss call Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 to schedule a courtesy hearing screening and consultation. Years of research studies and anecdotal data confirm that untreated hearing loss is linked to numerous physical, mental and other negative quality-of-life issues such as:
* Depression and Anxiety
* Social Isolation
* Cognitive Decline, including impaired memory
* Mistakes at work and Income Disparity
* Safety Concerns, including increased fall risk
* Missing conversations/Cries for assistance
Treating hearing loss can help minimize or eliminate these potential consequences. It’s the question everyone with hearing loss eventually asks: is letting it go untreated worth it?
