Amidst hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too easy to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for fitting hearing aids. 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 mistake concerning your ears alone.
The link to cognitive decline
Scientists have established a clear link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive decline. This underscores the critical importance of not holding off on treatment, as it can have adverse effects on your mental function also.
Hearing loss will get worse if it’s neglected
If you care about the health of your hearing, it’s important to never neglect any symptoms of hearing loss. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or holding off on the purchase of hearing aids, you inadvertently subject your ears to further damage.
You might find yourself constantly increasing the volume on your various devices, worsening the damage to your ears and accelerating the development of hearing loss. Using a hearing aid can help alleviate this by selectively amplifying specific frequencies, thereby slowing down the progression of hearing loss.
The link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive function
There’s a close connection between your sense of hearing and your brain. Mental function can be seriously impacted by neglected hearing loss according to some significant research. Over time, cognitive decline can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety brought on by social separation.
Moreover, prolonged untreated hearing loss prompts the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from processing sound to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the recovery of healthy hearing function down the road.
Navigating neuroplasticity
The brain’s amazing ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, is both a friend and a foe in this scenario. While it allows for flexibility and recovery, extended neglected 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. In spite of previous delays in seeking treatment, utilizing hearing aids as prescribed by a specialist can still deliver significant benefits in both the short and long term.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist
You should obviously seek treatment as soon as possible, but even if you’ve put off for a while, it’s not too late to seek help. If you’re ready to enjoy better hearing and stronger cognitive function, call us today for an assessment!
