The Health Implications of Hearing Loss

We often take certain aspects of our health for granted until something goes wrong. I remember never really thinking about the process of swallowing until I had surgery that prevented me from swallowing for two days.

I couldn’t even swallow water! It’s similar with hearing—we may think of it as simply a means to hear speech and sounds, but hearing has a much broader impact on our overall health. If something goes wrong with our hearing, it can negatively affect various other aspects of our lives.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the significant impacts that hearing loss can have on the whole person.

Dementia
(Based on “Hearing loss and dementia prevalence in older adults in the United States” by Alison Huang, PhD, MPH)
• About 40% of dementia risk factors are thought to be modifiable.
• Hearing loss accounts for 8% of these modifiable risk factors.
• Social isolation, which is often exacerbated by hearing loss, accounts for an additional 4%.
• This means 12% of dementia risk factors are related to untreated hearing loss.
• The prevalence of dementia among participants with moderate/severe hearing loss was 61% higher than among those with normal hearing. However, hearing aid use was associated with a 32% lower prevalence of dementia in participants with moderate/severe hearing loss.

Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Depression
• Untreated hearing loss often leads to difficulties in conversations, causing many people to withdraw from social events.
• As we age, our physical abilities may decline, making verbal communication at social events even more crucial.
• Studies (Bennett et al., 2021) show that untreated hearing loss is associated with higher rates of depression compared to those with normal hearing.

Risk of Falls and Hospitalisation
• Over a 10-year period, individuals with untreated hearing loss were 47% more likely to be hospitalised.
• Hearing loss decreases spatial awareness, making it harder to locate sounds, which can contribute to feeling unsafe in public spaces, such as when crossing roads.
• The fear of falling creates an emotional burden. The desire to stay independent often conflicts with the fear of falling and the potential embarrassment and medical consequences that come with it.

Looking at these impacts, it’s clear that hearing loss is far more than just having to ask, “Beg your pardon?” from time to time. Not being able to spend quality time with loved ones because it’s too difficult to understand them is just one aspect.

By taking care of your hearing, you can stay more engaged in social activities, reducing your risk of dementia and loneliness. Additionally, reducing the likelihood of falls can help maintain your independence and alleviate the fear of falling. These are just a few of the many benefits that go beyond simply improving your hearing.

If you’d like to discuss any of these aspects further, don’t wait—call our friendly team today to book your appointment at Ear Studio. We are proudly independent and locally owned, with a deep commitment to helping people regain their lives through better hearing.

We’re conveniently located in Latwon House, Castle Hill, with off-street parking available. Suite 10 / 60 Cecil Ave, Castle Hill 2154. Contact us on 02 9159 6122, email [email protected], or book online at www.earstudio.com.au. We look forward to helping you on your journey to better hearing!