If you are reading this blog, it’s a pretty safe assumption that you or someone you love has hearing loss. After all, nearly 48 million people in American Fork and throughout the country suffer from it.
Now, even though so many people have hearing loss, only about 20 percent actually do anything about it. While this can be due to a variety of reasons, such as not wanting to admit they are getting older or fear that getting a device will cause their hearing to get worse, the high cost of a hearing aid is typically always in the mix of reasons.
While a few thousand dollars may seem like a large price to pay to simply improve your ability to hear, what if I were to tell you that a hearing aid can do so much more? Below are the top four improvements a hearing aid can make in your life, according to your American Fork audiologist.
Improved General Health
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased feelings of depression, anger and anxiety. Those who choose not to treat their hearing loss are also at a higher risk of cognitive decline and physical injuries, particularly falls.
This is especially important since every second of every day in the United States, an older adult falls, making falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans.
Improved Emotional Well-being
Those with untreated hearing loss often have to rely on others to navigate through the hearing world. Treating your hearing loss can help you regain a sense of control over your life, as you no longer are dependent on others.
In addition, seeking treatment can also reduce the amount of time you spend alone, which can lead to healthier and longer-lasting relationships. Many with a hearing aid have higher self-esteem and better quality of life than those who don’t.
Improved Professional Success
Those with hearing loss often find it more difficult to concentrate than those without hearing loss. This can lead to reduced job performance and less monetary compensation. In fact, one study suggests people with hearing loss earn up to $30,000 less per year.
New research suggests that untreated hearing loss may actually make learning new things harder, which can lead to problems storing new information.
Improved Quality of Life
A study conducted by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) surveyed 2,000 individuals with hearing loss. They found that in addition to seeing improvements in their ability to communicate, those who used a hearing aid saw an increase in their:
- Romance
- Sense of Humor
- Mental Health
- Emotional Health
- Physical Health
- Sense of Safety
- Self-Confidence
- Feelings about Self
- Sense of Independence
- Work Relationships
Are you still on the fence and wondering whether a hearing aid is worth it? Time to go to the source – contact your American Fork audiologist today and schedule an appointment.
