October marks the arrival of Audiology Awareness Month—a time dedicated to focusing on your hearing health and taking proactive steps to protect it. If you or someone you love has hearing difficulties, now is the perfect time to prioritize your well-being and explore treatment options. Let’s delve into why caring for your hearing is essential and what you can do to take the next step toward better hearing.
The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
When left untreated, hearing loss can affect much more than just your hearing ability. A few common side effects of untreated hearing loss include:
- Cognitive decline. Your brain requires stimulation to stay in shape. Just like daily runs at Juanita Bay Park can help your legs stay strong, your brain needs regular exercise to stay sharp. When it doesn’t receive enough auditory input, it can put you at risk for cognitive decline. One study from Johns Hopkins examining this risk found that even mild hearing loss can double the likelihood of developing dementia. With moderate hearing loss, that risk triples. Luckily, a recent study showed that hearing aids can significantly lower this risk and support overall brain function.
- Poor relationships. Hearing loss can make conversations challenging, causing misunderstandings and feelings of isolation. When communication is challenging, building and maintaining healthy relationships can feel impossible. Hearing aids make it easier to stay connected, enabling clearer conversations and fostering stronger relationships with those around you.
- Delayed language development. Children rely on their hearing to teach them how to speak and understand speech sounds. Untreated hearing loss in young children can significantly delay this language development. Hearing aids amplify the crucial speech sounds your child needs to develop strong language skills. By improving their ability to hear and understand speech, these devices support language development and reduce potential setbacks in school and social interactions.
Enjoy Healthier Hearing This Audiology Awareness Month
Take the first step towards better hearing by scheduling a hearing test. It’s a quick and painless way to understand which sounds are difficult to hear. If you require hearing aids, your specialist will help you find the perfect style and features to suit your lifestyle. With your new devices, you can look forward to enjoying clear, vibrant sounds again.
While October is the official Auditory Awareness Month, you don’t need to stop celebrating when November comes around. Talk to family and friends about your journey to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their hearing health. If your loved ones seem hesitant to embrace treatment, offer to go with them to an appointment!
Contact Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic today to take the first step towards better hearing this month.