Amidst hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too simple to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may not even get around to shopping for hearing aids at all. However, delaying treatment for hearing loss is a lot more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
Untreated hearing loss can result in a greater risk of cognitive decline
Scientists have established a clear link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
Hearing loss will get worse if it goes untreated
Obviously, it’s evident that putting off treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to preserving your auditory health. You unintentionally cause more harm to your hearing if you put off on getting a hearing test or hearing aids if you need them.
You may find yourself constantly boosting the volume on your various devices, worsening the damage to your ears and accelerating the development of hearing loss. Hearing aids can boost particular frequencies of sound thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The connection to mental function
There’s a direct connection between your sense of hearing and your brain. Research indicates that untreated hearing loss can have significant consequences on cognitive function. Over time, mental decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety caused by social separation.
Also, the recovery of healthy hearing function can be complicated because untreated hearing loss will force the brain to adjust by reallocating mental resources from other functions, such as visual processes, over to auditory processes.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, extended untreated hearing loss can lead to significant rewiring of the brain, making it difficult to return to previous functionality.
But it is possible to reverse this effect. Despite previous delays in getting treatment, using hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still deliver significant benefits in both the short and long term.
Call us for an appointment
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to address hearing loss. Scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible is essential, ensuring you can enjoy improved hearing and mental function moving forward. Call today!