As we age, hearing loss is normally considered an inescapable fact of life. Many older Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a continuous ringing in the ears. But if a condition like this is so accepted, why is it that so many people won’t admit that they have loss of hearing?
A new study from Canada reveals that hearing loss is experienced by more than half of Canadians, but that 77% of those people don’t report any issues. Some type of hearing loss is experienced by more than 48 million Americans and untreated. Whether this denial is deliberate or not is debatable, but either way, loss of hearing is ignored by a significant number of individuals – which, in the future, could cause significant problems.
Why do Some People Not Recognize They Have Loss of Hearing?
That matter is a complicated one. Hearing loss is a gradual process, and some people might not recognize that they have a more difficult time hearing things or comprehending people than they once did. Or, more commonly, they might blame it on something else – the person they’re talking to is muttering, volumes aren’t turned up loud enough, or background noise is too high. There are, unfortunately, a number of 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.
Conversely, there may be some people who know they have hearing loss but refuse to accept it. Another study conducted in the United States shows that lots of seniors flat out deny that they are suffering from a hearing problem. They do what they can to mask their problem, either because they don’t want to acknowledge an issue or because of perceived stigmas associated with hearing loss.
The trouble with both of these situations is that by rejecting or not noticing you have a hearing problem you could actually be negatively influencing your general health.
There Can be Serious Consequences From Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing loss does not just impact your ears – high blood pressure and heart disease have also been linked to hearing loss and also anxiety, depression, and mental decline.
Research has shown that people who have managed their hearing loss 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 – trouble carrying on conversations, turning up the volume on the TV and radio, or a chronic ringing or humming in your ears.
What Can be Done About Hearing Loss?
You can get your hearing loss under control with a number of treatment options. Hearing aids are the type of treatment that is the most common, and you won’t have the same kinds of problems that your grandparents or parents did because hearing aid technology has progressed considerably. Contemporary hearing aids have Bluetooth functionality so they can connect wirelessly to your smartphone or TV and they have the ability to filter out background noise and wing.
A dietary changes might also have a beneficial impact on your hearing health if you suffer from anemia. Since anemia iron deficiency has been revealed to cause loss of hearing, people who have tinnitus can be helped by consuming foods that are rich in iron.
Having your hearing tested regularly, however, is the most important thing you can do.
Do you think that might have hearing loss? Make an appointment for a hearing examination.