If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss in Simi Valley and have resisted wearing hearing aids, there are many reasons to reconsider. Hearing aids the most effective treatment solution for the vast majority of people with hearing loss – nine out of ten people in Simi Valley who suffer from impaired hearing benefit from their use. Hearing aids don’t only make communication easier – it turns out they can literally add years to your life.
The Benefits of Wearing Hearing Aids
There are a number of reasons people choose not to wear hearing aids. Vanity is a big one; some folks view hearing aids as a sign that they are growing old. Others worry about cost or are simply afraid of the unknown. Yet for most people in Portland, hearing aids will make a world of difference in their quality of life. And, research shows they can actually extend your life. Think that’s hyperbole? Guess again.
- Hearing aids improve balance. When you wear hearing aids, your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to process sound. Instead of diverting cognitive resources from other important areas in an effort to enable you to hear better, your brain can focus its resources there instead. A prime example is the balance system, crucial in preventing falls – a leading cause of injury and death in the elderly. Even mild hearing loss increases your risk of falling by 3x. Hearing aids help prevent that.
- Hearing aids help in emergency situations. Poor hearing increases your risk of injury or death in emergency situations. Because hearing loss most often affects high-frequency sounds, your ability to hear emergency vehicle sirens, car horns, smoke detectors and other everyday sounds meant to alert you to danger is compromised. Hearing aids allow you to hear those sounds more clearly, keeping you safe.
- Hearing aids help prevent depression. Countless studies have linked untreated hearing loss to anxiety, sadness and depression, especially in older individuals. Hearing aids reduce your risk by at least 8 percent, according to the results of a study by the National Council on Aging. Happier people are healthier people.
- Hearing aids reduce social isolation. Social withdrawal and isolation are common in people with hearing loss, who would rather not deal with activities that cause hearing strain and fatigue. There is a positive link between loneliness and isolation and higher mortality rates. People who wear hearing aids are more likely to engage in social activities.
- Hearing aids reduce your risk of dementia. The brain works hard to compensate for hearing loss, diverting cognitive resources away from key areas such as memory and cognition. This increases your odds of developing memory loss and dementia. By using hearing aids, your brain can focus on these important areas, delaying or preventing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline.
With so many positives, it’s clear that hearing aids are invaluable. If you are experiencing hearing loss in Portland and aren’t treating it, contact your audiologist today. A longer, happier life is right around the corner.