Welcome to Healthy Aging Month—a time when we celebrate the positives of aging (think greater self-acceptance, wisdom, empathy, and more) and embrace ways we can enhance our well-being as we age.
Where to begin is not as overwhelming as you may think. In fact, there is one fundamental decision you can make today that can significantly support your overall wellness as you age: get your hearing tested (regularly) and treat any hearing loss you may have.
And the sooner the better: Experts recommend hearing screenings every 5 years for adults aged 50–64, and every 1–3 years for adults aged 65 and older.
Why is this, you might be thinking? Let’s explore 4 important reasons why it’s important to treat hearing loss early:
1. The longer we wait, the harder it is to treat hearing loss.
Dr. Frank Lin, MD, PhD—a longtime, world-leading hearing loss researcher at Johns Hopkins University—says the longer we wait to treat our hearing loss, the more difficult it is to treat. This is because it takes time to adjust to hearing aids. “The brain needs time,” he says. “And the earlier hearing loss is treated, the easier it is for the brain to adapt.”
Indeed, when people begin to wear hearing aids, the sounds they’ve been missing—everything from wind noise to children’s voices—will be restored. Meanwhile, the brain will need to practice and re-educate in order to selectively focus on and filter sounds. Some sounds may even be startling at first, but the brain will acclimate to them over time.
Learn more on getting used to wearing hearing aids here.
Moreover, the typical time it takes people to get their hearing loss treated—which is about 10 years after diagnosis—may allow more of the irreversible conditions associated with hearing impairment to surface (keep reading to learn what they are). These conditions can also make treating hearing loss more difficult.
By prioritizing our hearing health now, we can start hearing our best more easily—and without unfortunate health circumstances getting in the way.
2. Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia.
According to the prestigious Lancet Commission of Dementia, Prevention, Intervention, and Care, hearing loss is the “single risk factor that accounts for the greatest number of dementia cases.” This is due to the effects of hearing loss on the brain and communication, researchers believe.
How hearing loss impacts the brain
Basically, hearing loss blocks sounds from clearly reaching the brain, forcing it to exert more effort to hear and understand sound. The stress of this may result in the brain aging faster (particularly through brain atrophy or “shrinkage”), which can decrease thinking and memory capabilities.
How hearing loss impacts communication
When we can’t hear, it’s much tougher to hold conversations and/or communicate our needs with others. This lack of engagement can lead to social isolation, which is also linked to dementia.
Conversely, wearing hearing aids is a great way to support brain health. In fact, research has shown that improved hearing can help us think better, learn better, remember better, and reason better than before treatment.
3. Being hard of hearing can lead to depression.
Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of depression by 40%, according to research—and it’s easy to see why: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) confirms that staying more connected to the world around us is essential for reducing the impact of loneliness and isolation, both of which are risk factors for depression.
“Hearing loss is a potent isolator,” confirms Robert Jackler, MD, professor of neurosurgery and of surgery at Stanford. “Human communication is nourishing not only to the soul, but also to the mind and, ultimately, the body. People who become isolated and unable to interact with others withdraw into an ever-closing circle that leads to unhappiness and depression for many.”
Better hearing is important for helping us stay social and active through easier communication and increased awareness of our environment. Examples include:
- Staying in touch with family and friends
- Joining in new or favorite activities
- Exercising
- Volunteering
- Much more
Check out the NIA’s helpful tips for staying connected as you age, here.
4. Leaving hearing loss untreated can increase our chances of falling.
Studies have shown that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falls by 30%. And the more severe the hearing loss is, the more our chances of falling increase.
How hearing loss can affect balance:
- Ears share a close proximity to the vestibular system
The cochlea of the ear (which facilitates hearing) and the vestibular system (a part of the inner ear and brain that controls balance and eye movements) are situated very close to one another. So close, in fact, that they share fluid and neural pathways.
Because of this, damage in the cochlea can impact the vestibular system—making it easier to understand why the occurrence of vestibular impairment is high in adults with sensorineural hearing loss (this type of hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve).
- Cognitive load
As mentioned earlier, hearing loss causes the brain to work harder to hear and understand sound. As a result, it may be less able to help with balance and gait.
- Decreased awareness
Similarly to loss of vision, hearing loss can reduce awareness of surroundings, resulting in tripping, falling (or worse).
Now, here’s the silver lining to all of these hearing loss-related conditions: Research confirms that wearing hearing aids is associated with the delayed diagnosis of dementia, injurious falls, depression and related disorders.
So, why wait to treat your hearing loss when you can begin your journey to happy, healthy aging today?
Don’t wait to treat your hearing loss—see a hearing care professional today
The first step towards maintaining your best life is as easy as scheduling a hearing exam with a licensed hearing care professional.
Hearing tests are simple and pain-free. And if it turns out you do have hearing loss, a hearing care professional will walk you through your options and help you choose the one that is best for you. Simply click here to find a provider near you.
Don’t wait another 10, or even five years: Treat your hearing loss today—and age with joy and vitality into the future.