Living with hearing loss is something many of us face as we get older. But it is not something we have to just accept. With the latest technology in hearing aids, many people are changing their life for the better and finding solutions to significantly increase hearing levels.
These are five ways that hearing aids can change your life if you are suffering from hearing loss or finding you can no longer hear as well as you once could. Some are purely social, some offer lasting health benefits, but all of them will have a significant impact on your length and quality of life.
Improved Balance
Reduced balance is an often-underreported side effect of hearing loss. Frank Lin of John Hopkins University said, “gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding,” he continued, “if hearing loss imposes a cognitive load there may be fewer cognitive resources to help with maintaining balance and gait.”
Even patients suffering from mild hearing loss were around three times more likely to slip or fall than those that had perfect hearing. By using hearing aids, you can reduce the chances of falling and the occurrence of minor injuries.
Improved Social Relationships
Chances are, if you are suffering from hearing loss, you have experienced social anxiety. Asking people to repeat themselves after everything they say is exhausting for both parties. It can cause irritation, both from the party that has to keep repeating their speech and from you keep having to ask.
Embracing hearing aids and solutions that will restore your hearing will greatly enhance social relationships, reduce anxiety, and help you live your life to the fullest surrounded by friends and family.
Increased Energy Levels
It may not appear immediately obvious that improved hearing means more energy. But consider this, when you are forced to focus extremely intently on hearing everything people are saying, it becomes exhausting.
If basic interaction becomes easier, requiring less mental energy, you have more energy to spend on other things, leading to increased energy levels.
Reduced Risk of Depression
The National Council of Aging (NCOA) carried out a survey amongst 2,300 adults over the age of 50. It found that those that suffered from hearing loss and did not seek treatment of any kind, were more likely to report feelings of depression than those that wore hearing aids.
Work Boost
The ability to hear without impairment means improved professional performance. It means being able to go to meetings without fear of embarrassment or discomfort. It means no missed instructions or information, no difficult phone calls, and improved professional confidence.
Spending less time deciphering what people are saying and devoting less cognitive function to the basic task of communicating also means higher productivity levels, making you a more valuable asset in the workplace.
Given the significant ways that hearing aids can change your life, leaving hearing loss untreated should be avoided at any cost. With the help of modern technology, there is no reason why anyone should have to suffer a reduced quality of life because of hearing loss.
About Jammie Morey
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