Hearing Health & Overall Well-Being
Hearing loss, or presbycusis, is often simply accepted by most people as part of the aging process. However, loss of hearing doesn't only occur in older adults- it can happen at any age. If you are experiencing issues with your hearing, there are steps you can take and technology you can use, to help your ability to hear. Hearing health is essential to your overall health and well-being, even in ways you may not be aware of.
Emotional Impact of Hearing Loss
As you begin to lose your ability to hear, certain activities may become less enjoyable, as it’s harder to hear and understand what’s going on around you. Hearing loss can create feelings of embarrassment, frustration, fatigue or even shame. Those negative feelings may lead you to reduce your social activities, as interacting with others becomes more difficult and exhausting.
Social isolation increases your risks of developing serious health and well-being issues like depression, anxiety, cognitive decline of memory and concentration abilities, even dementia. Difficulty hearing can cause others to misunderstand you and incorrectly label you as uncooperative, closed-off or even confused.
Physical Impact of Hearing Loss
Ear health and hearing is essential to your balance. The risk of falls and other incidental injuries increase as you lose your ability to hear. Your ears, as you walk, sift through tiny cues and signals that help you to balance. Hearing loss prevents you from picking up those signals. And, as your brain works harder to process sound, your concentration is affected. These issues combine to make navigating your way through life more difficult and potentially dangerous.
Other Health Impacts
Hearing loss, which may be caused by a variety of factors, including loud-noise exposure, genetics, various medications and other chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, can be an indicator of other serious health issues. Issues detecting low-frequency sounds like road vehicles, thunder, aircraft and other heavy machinery is a potential indicator of cardiovascular disease. Hearing loss itself places you at greater risk for harm as you may be unable to hear sirens, alarms or other potential warning signs of an accident or dangerous situation.
Hear Well, Be Well
Your hearing health is a vital part of your overall health and wellness. When you can hear better, you improve both your mental and physical health, essential to your overall well-being.