Loss of hearing – it’s generally considered a fact of life as we age. Loss of hearing is experienced by lots of older Americans as is tinnitus or a ringing in the ears. But for such an accepted ailment lots of people still deny they have hearing loss.
A new study from Canada suggests that more than 50 percent of all middle aged or older Canadians cope with some form of loss of hearing, but that 77% of those people don’t report any problems. In the US, over 48 million people have some type of hearing loss, but many do not attempt to address it. It’s up for debate whether this denial is on purpose or not, but the fact remains that a significant number of individuals let their hearing loss go unchecked – which could lead to substantial issues later on in life.
Why do Some Individuals Not Recognize They Have Hearing Loss?
It’s a tricky matter. Hearing loss is a gradual process, and difficulty comprehending people and hearing things go undetected. Or, more commonly, they might blame it on something else – they think that everyone is mumbling, volumes aren’t turned up loud enough, or there’s too much background noise. There are, unfortunately, numerous things that hearing loss can be blamed on, and having a hearing test or getting checked out, normally, is not a person’s first instinct.
It also happens that some individuals just won’t acknowledge that they have hearing loss. Another study conducted in the United States shows that many seniors who suffer from hearing problems flat out deny it. They mask their issue in any way they can, either they perceive a stigma around hearing loss or because they don’t want to admit to having an issue.
The trouble with both of these situations is that by denying or not realizing you have a hearing problem you could actually be negatively impacting your general health.
There Can be Extreme Consequences From Neglected Hearing Loss
Loss of hearing does not exclusively impact your ears – heart disease and high blood pressure have also been associated with hearing loss and also anxiety, depression, and mental decline.
Research has shown that people who have treated their loss of hearing using cognitive therapy, changes of diet and hearing aids have better all-around health and longer life expectancy.
It’s necessary to acknowledge the signs of hearing loss – difficulty carrying on conversations, turning up the volume on the radio or TV, or a lingering ringing or humming in your ears.
What Can be Done About Loss of Hearing?
You can control your hearing loss with several treatments. Hearing aids are the type of treatment that is the most common, and you won’t have the same kinds of issues that your grandparents or parents did because hearing aid tech has advanced considerably. Hearing aids can now filter out background noise and wind, while also wirelessly connecting to devices like your radio, TV, or tablet.
A dietary changes could impact your hearing health if you have anemia. Consuming more foods that are rich in iron has been discovered to help people fight tinnitus and loss of hearing since iron deficiency anemia has been demonstrated to lead to loss of hearing.
Getting your hearing tested on a regular basis, however, is the most significant thing you can do.
Are you concerned you might have hearing problems? Schedule an appointment for a hearing examination.