{"id":9161,"date":"2020-07-23T15:53:44","date_gmt":"2020-07-23T22:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everhear.com\/?p=9161"},"modified":"2020-07-23T15:53:46","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T22:53:46","slug":"hearing-loss-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everhear.com\/hearing-loss-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing Loss Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Unfortunately, only one in five people actually seeks treatment for the condition, and even then, they wait an average of seven years to do so. This can have devastating impacts on your relationships, health and overall quality of life. Our advice: Don\u2019t delay treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are a number of health conditions associated with untreated hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One study published in 2018<\/a> in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery<\/em> found that for adults over age 50, those with hearing loss are 30 percent more likely to experience a fall than their normal-hearing peers. The study also found that those with hearing loss<\/a> are 40 percent more likely to be depressed and 50 percent more likely to develop dementia over a 10-year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few theories for why hearing loss is linked with cognitive decline. One theory is that the brain must work harder to process sound, which drains cognitive reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another study<\/a> published in Trends in Hearing in 2017 reported that hearing loss takes a significant toll on relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why People Delay Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these risks of leaving hearing loss untreated, many people are hesitant to be treated with hearing aids<\/a>. There are a few reasons for this, according to a survey by Consumer Reports<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n