Millions of people in the United States have hearing loss. Unfortunately, some choose to forgo treatment and leave their condition untreated. Untreated hearing loss can negatively impact your life in ways that go beyond what may seem obvious.
Five Negative Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss 
- You find it hard to socialize. One of the first signs of hearing loss is that speech starts to sound muffled. You find yourself struggling to follow conversations when talking with family or out meeting friends for dinner at Cola’s Restaurant. This can leave you feeling left out or frustrated at social events. You may even find yourself starting to isolate yourself from others because of your communication struggles.
- You feel more stressed at work. Hearing loss also makes it harder to communicate at work, whether in person or on video or phone calls. You may start to worry that you’re missing important information during a meeting or feel hesitant to speak up for fear of having an embarrassing misunderstanding. This can leave you feeling stressed and lacking in confidence at the office.
- Your relationships suffer. Untreated hearing loss takes a toll on relationships, especially those with your spouse or partner. They may feel as though you aren’t listening to them or become annoyed by having to repeat themselves frequently. This can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment on both sides.
- Your anxiety levels rise. As your hearing ability declines, you will find it harder to decipher sounds around you. This can make you feel unsure in your surroundings, leading to increased levels of anxiety and stress.
- Your health may worsen. Untreated hearing loss has been associated with several different health problems. It has been linked to an increase in depression, an increased risk of balance issues, and even a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Treat Your Hearing Loss Early
While the effects of untreated hearing loss can be distressing, treatment can help you avoid or reduce the risk of these problems. If you’ve noticed that your hearing isn’t quite what it used to be or you have had family members or friends comment on your hearing ability, schedule an appointment for an audiological evaluation.
If your hearing test reveals that you do have permanent hearing loss, several treatment options exist, with hearing aids being the most common. The right pair will help improve your ability to understand speech and sound in any environment and help keep you happy, healthy and engaged in your daily life.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.