Impacts of Untreated Hearing Loss

On average, people who have been diagnosed with hearing loss wait seven years before seeking treatment. Some are frustrated by hearing loss and its impacts, believing it to be a sign of aging. Others think their condition isn’t that severe or may not even realize they have hearing problems.
In the most recent studies, it has been discovered that untreated hearing loss has social, psychological, cognitive, and physical health effects on the patient. Although they vary from one person to another, they all have serious impacts on your quality of life.
EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF HEARING LOSS
Irritability, negativism, and anger
Fatigue, tension, stress, and depression
Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
Social rejection and loneliness
Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
Untreated Hearing Loss & Social Isolation

Research has shown a significant correlation between untreated hearing loss and social isolation. It has often been said that social isolation is not always a choice but a result of circumstances, which can be out of anyone’s control.

Untreated hearing loss and isolation can only cause negative consequences that could lead to significant complications of confusion, emotional distress, depression, and cognitive decline.

Untreated Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline
In addition to the impacts on your emotional well-being, untreated hearing loss can also affect your cognitive health. When your ability to hear declines, your brain receives less stimulation than it typically would because it’s not working to identify different sounds and nuances.

Over time, this lack of exercise for your brain can lead to memory loss or even dementia. This is how untreated hearing loss impacts your brain. The portion of your brain responsible for transmitting sound becomes weaker, making memory loss more likely.