Around 30% of people over 65 develop hearing loss. This is due to changes in the nerves or structure of the ear caused by age-related medical conditions or external factors like prolonged exposure to loud noises.[1]. Early-stage hearing loss might not be easily detectable but the common signs are difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, difficulty understanding conversations over background noise, perceiving some sounds as too loud, or experiencing tinnitus (hearing ringing in one or both ears) [1].
Many people don’t realize that untreated loss of hearing can have negative impacts on brain health, and can even be a precursor to cognitive impairment and dementia. Untreated hearing loss hurts your ability to connect properly with others and stay engaged which leads to social isolation. Hearing loss diminishes your ears’ ability to pick up cues that help with your balance when you walk and can lead to mobility problems and the risk of falls.
It is best to have your hearing checked every two to three years, especially once you find difficulty following conversations or understanding what people around you are saying. Experts agree that hearing aids contribute to strengthening the brain’s performance [2] [3] [4, and are readily available to address most forms of hearing loss. Unfortunately, on average it takes 10 years after first experiencing early signs of hearing loss for people to seek treatment [2] [4], so most people have already experienced significant negative impacts on their brain health and quality of life before seeking treatment.
Promoting brain health, we would like to dispel the following myths about hearing aids to inspire people to proactively address hearing loss as soon as symptoms are noticed [2]:
- “My hearing isn’t that bad.” Delays in addressing hearing loss weaken communication with loved ones, increasing isolation and health risks [2].
- “Wearing hearing aids means I’m old, and I’m not ready for that.” On the contrary: Connecting with others keeps your brain younger and makes you socially involved [2].
- “I don’t like the way hearing aids look.” Hearing aids [2]) are now smaller and less conspicuous [2]. And with so many people of all ages wearing wireless earbuds around these days
- “I heard that hearing aids are difficult to use.” Doctors recommend a trial period for hearing aids so as to have your brain and auditory system adjust in time. In due course, you will become comfortable with and sure of the hearing aid model of your choice [2].
- “My hearing is too far gone to be helped.” There are solutions available such as a cochlear implant, a device implanted into the inner ear that can help restore sound perception in people with severe hearing impairment.
In summary, untreated hearing loss can make you “check out” of conversations and social opportunities as you get older, and can put you at greater risk for other age-related conditions. There are lots of opportunities to correct your hearing loss, and the days where it was strange to see someone with devices in their ear are long gone. So if you think you’re experiencing even mild hearing loss, please have your ears checked now… you may be taking a step that will change the course of your life!
References:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022. “Ageing and Hearing, Overview” 2022. Accessed November 7, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aging-and-hearing
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022. “The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss” 2022. Accessed November 7, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
- Deedee Stiepan, 2022. “Mayo Clinic Minute: How hearing affects your brain health”, June 28, 2022. Accessed November 7, 2022. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-how-hearing-affects-your-brain-health/
- Harvard Health Publishing, 2022. “Hearing aids may help improve brain function” 2022. Accessed November 7, 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/in-the-journals-hearing-aids-may-help-improve-brain-function