For many years, hearing loss has been stigmatized in society.
Often compared to signs of ‘aging’ or ‘getting old,’ many people simply fail to come to terms with their hearing challenges in fear of how a hearing aid will look.
But what many people don’t know is that hearing aids have significantly improved over the last few years and are now more discreet than ever!
Not only is this harmful mentality damaging for your ear health, but it significantly restricts your ability to live a fulfilling life.
Imagine a world where you can hear all of your loved ones and appreciate the sounds of nature around you!
With an estimated 15% of the US population suffering from hearing loss, the importance of hearing has never been more important.
Along with spreading awareness on healthy hearing, we participated in World Hearing Day, organized by the World Health Organization on March 3rd.
One of our continuous goals is to encourage more people to book themselves in for a hearing assessment and get the help they deserve, so they can continue to live the life they love.
Why Is Hearing Loss A Problem In The U.S?
Unfortunately, due to the stigma associated with hearing loss, the journey to better hearing is a lot more complicated than you think.
In fact, it takes the average person 7-10 years to book themselves in for a hearing assessment. By this point, their hearing ability may have significantly worsened.
The sad truth of this is that it could’ve otherwise been prevented if they had gone to see a professional about their hearing loss earlier.
The Devastating Effects
Undiagnosed hearing loss can not only result in serious discomfort for the individual, but it can lead to serious cognitive dysfunction such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
This is due to the brain not receiving enough auditory stimulation, which results in tissue loss and changes to brain structure.
Brain fog is also a common side effect of hearing loss, where the individual is working harder to understand what people are saying.
This extreme strain on the brain can deplete a person’s mental energy and deteriorate other crucial functions such as memory and thinking, a key symptom of Alzheimer’s dementia and other cognitive disorders.
Many people with hearing loss choose to isolate themselves over the fear of getting the conversation wrong or simply not being able to hear it at all, further leading to self-esteem issues and anxiety.
With all that in mind, we are not exaggerating when we say better hearing is life-changing.
What Can I Do To Help A Loved One?
Whether you have a loved one or family member who is reluctant to get help, the good news is that you can truly change their lives for the better.
Talking about hearing loss can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that open communication with them is the best to get them to open up about their struggles.
By helping them understand the benefits of a hearing aid, you help them live a happier and healthier life where they can hear all of their loved ones.
You can find more advice on how to help a loved one with hearing loss here.
At Preferred Hearing Centers, we believe everyone should have the chance to hear. By raising awareness of the importance of better hearing, we hope to de-stigmatize hearing loss and encourage more people to seek help.
If you or a loved one has a hearing concern, or simply want advice and guidance on the next steps, then you can get in touch with a member of our team here.
