The implications of hearing loss
If the cause of the hearing loss is due to an underlying condition, treating it fast can mean restoring your hearing to its normal levels. If you leave it unaddressed, there is an increased risk that the hearing loss becomes more severe or permanent.
There are potential complications for your overall health and wellbeing that come from untreated hearing loss. Numerous studies have found that it can lead to the following issues:
Social isolation, stress and depression
Withdrawal and loneliness
Anger and irritability
Mental fatigue
Reduced focus and alertness, and therefore increased safety risk
Increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia
Here's how it typically works. When you ignore or miss hearing loss, your brain has to work harder to hear things. That can lead to greater strain and mental fatigue, as well as an increase in anxiety and angry outbursts in social situations. It can also lead to you from social interaction, such as conversations with friends and family.
Recognising the signs of hearing loss
Difficulty Hearing High Pitches
If you have sensorineural hearing loss, you may struggle with higher-pitched sounds, especially when conversing with women and children, whose voices tend to be higher. This is because sensitivity to higher pitches often diminishes before lower ones.Pain or Pressure In Your Ear
Experiencing pain or pressure? You might also have hearing loss. Treating the underlying condition could alleviate both issues.Feeling of Fullness In Your Ear
Common with impacted or excessive earwax: fullness worsening to pain and pressure. Similar to temporary water in your ear after swimming. Consult your doctor for confirmation.Difficulty Following Conversations
You might struggle more with conversations, especially in noise, and need to move closer or read lips. Others may sound quieter, like mumbling. Asking for repeats becomes frequent, and you'll likely increase volume on various devices.Difficulty Distinguishing Sound in Noisy Environments
Hearing loss makes it tough to hear in noisy places like restaurants, concerts, or windy outdoor settings. Conversations, music, and details become harder to pick out. You might struggle with pinpointing sound direction or miss certain sounds amid the background noise.Feeling Tired and Stressed After Social Outings
Hearing difficulties require constant focus, straining your brain during conversations and leading to mental fatigue. This can cause stress and anxiety before social events and make socializing unpleasant, even if it was enjoyable before.
Get Your Hearing Assessed Today
If you think you or a loved one is showing signs of hearing loss, it's a good idea to have your hearing assessed. You can contact us at any time to request a full hearing assessment at your nearest Bloom Hearing Specialist store.
You can also take our free online hearing test from the comfort of your own home; it takes five minutes, and you only require an internet connection and a good pair of headphones.
