Between hectic schedules and the disruptions of events, it’s all too simple to put off essential appointments, such as those with a hearing specialist or for a hearing aid fitting. You may not even get around to shopping for hearing aids whatsoever. However, delaying treatment for hearing loss is far more than just a misstep concerning your ears alone.
The connection to cognitive decline
A clear link between cognitive decline and untreated hearing loss has been demonstrated by scientists and researchers. This is one reason why delaying treatment is never a good plan.
The impact on hearing
Obviously, it’s evident that putting off treatment for hearing loss isn’t conducive to preserving your auditory health. By avoiding appointments with a hearing specialist or delaying the purchase of hearing aids, you unintentionally subject your ears to additional damage.
You may find yourself constantly increasing the volume on your various devices, exacerbating the damage to your ears and speeding up the development of hearing loss. Hearing aids can increase specific frequencies of sound thereby delaying the development of hearing loss.
The link to cognitive function
Your brain and your hearing are intricately linked. Cognitive function can be seriously impacted by untreated hearing loss according to some substantial research. Over time, cognitive decline can be worsened by depression and anxiety caused by social isolation.
Moreover, long-term neglected hearing loss causes the brain to adapt by reallocating resources from processing sound to other functions, such as visual processing, potentially complicating the restoration of healthy hearing function later on.
Navigating neuroplasticity
In this scenario, neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt, can be both a friend and a foe. While it allows for flexibility and restoration, prolonged untreated hearing loss can lead to considerable rewiring of the brain, making it difficult to return to previous functionality.
However, it’s not impossible to undo these effects. Despite previous delays in getting treatment, using 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
While timely treatment is ideal, it’s never too late to tackle hearing loss. Making an appointment with us as soon as you can is crucial, ensuring you can enjoy better hearing and cognitive function moving forward. Call today!