May is here and many of us are already enjoying reconnecting to friends and family as the weather warms. May is also the month in which The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) designates as Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM). This annual month long campaign is a call to raise awareness and treatment for those with communication issues connected to hearing issues.
This year’s theme is appropriately dubbed “Building Connections” which illuminates some of the hurdles which hearing loss poses to communication. This May, BHSM suggests ways to combat communication hurdles early, before they become larger and much more serious issues.
Communication Issues Are Health Issues
Understanding the grave condition of hearing loss is first understanding that it is more than an issue with just the ears. Hearing loss first begins in most cases as the cells of the inner ear become damaged or destroyed but this quickly makes it more difficult to connect to friends, family and co-workers. What may seem like an easy conversation for someone with normal hearing is an exhausting experience for someone with untreated hearing loss. As the cells of the inner ear slowly diminish certain tones are not received by the brain. The brain is forced to piece the missing tones or consonants together in words and sentences forcing an increased cognitive load. This can have devastating effects on mood, self-esteem, ability to safely navigate independently, quality of life and cognitive health.
Hearing Loss, Isolation and Cognitive Decline
Exhaustion from listening can make it more tempting over the years to avoid social interaction whenever possible. You may believe that it is okay to miss a social event every now and then but if you continue to isolate the cumulative effect can increase the risk of dementia as you age. Humans are social creatures, and our connections decrease depression, lower anxiety and often help us to sleep better. When hearing loss makes social interaction more difficult it is all too easy to shut down and shut out friends and family. Self-esteem can decline and the brain becomes used to receiving less stimulation and challenges. The brain, like a muscle is sharper and quicker when it is used, so hearing loss can open the door for cognitive decline. Too many studies have reported a substantial connection between untreated hearing loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia making it much more likely of developing symptoms such as memory loss and the loss of ability to even complete simple tasks.
Staying Connected with Hearing Loss
The first step in fighting the emotional and physical impact of hearing loss is to seek treatment. While the most common types of hearing loss are irreversible, the side effects can be effectively decreased with the use of hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify the specific sounds you struggle with, reducing strain and making it much easier to converse with the people in your life. This not only allows people who treat their hearing issues with increased connection and intimacy but allows them to succeed better in their careers. Currently 60% of those with hearing loss in the US are still in the workforce. Studies show that those who wear hearing aids are more likely to be regarded equally as their contemporaries for raises and promotions. In contrast, The Hearing Health Foundation reports that those with untreated hearing loss on average have a decreased annual income of as much as $30,000.
Improved Sense of Independence
Hearing loss not only affects how you communicate but your awareness of space. Aside from amplifying the words of those around you, hearing also plays a big role in navigating your environment by relying on localization of sound. Both ears must have equal hearing to successfully be able to identify the direction, proximity and approaching speed of sound. When you treat your hearing loss with hearing aids you decrease your chances of falls, accidents and hospitalizations by revitalizing your awareness of the spaces you navigate. This allows you to feel more confident and notably safer when you are out and about on your own.
Make an Appointment Today!
The sooner you identify and treat your hearing loss, the sooner you can start to rebuild your relationships, boost your mood and begin to increase the quality of your life again. It’s a long journey of healing but it is completely worth it in the long run. Use Better Hearing and Speech Month as an inspiration this month and schedule a hearing test today.