How do you envision your retirement years? Do you see yourself traveling, pursuing hobbies, spending time with family and enjoying the fruits of your labors? Or do you see yourself struggling with health, spending most of your time in a chair watching television alone? We’ve never met anyone who aspires to that second option, but the reality is that, due to choices made earlier in life, that may be your only option.
One of the very important choices your can make to avoid the risk of cognitive, emotional, social, financial and physical decline is to treat hearing loss and tinnitus as early as possible.
Hearing loss, if left untreated, can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. The consequences are far-reaching, influencing emotional well-being, social interaction, financial stability, physical health, and cognitive function. Research underscores the importance of early treatment to mitigate the following risks and improve overall health outcomes.
Cognitive Decline
Perhaps one of the most concerning impacts of untreated hearing loss is its association with cognitive decline and dementia. A 2024 study from JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery found that hearing loss is associated with increased dementia risk, especially among people not using hearing aids, suggesting that hearing aids might prevent or delay the onset and progression of dementia. Additionally, the LANCET 2024 Commission report found that 45% of dementia cases are preventable, with the number one modifiable risk factors being treating hearing loss and reducing LDL Cholesterol.
Emotional Decline
Untreated hearing loss is closely linked to emotional distress, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. As people with hearing loss struggle to communicate, they may feel left out of conversations and social activities, compounding their sense of loneliness. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) notes that adults with hearing loss are more likely to report depressive symptoms than those with normal hearing. The good news, however, is that JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery also found a significant improvement in depressive symptoms at 6 months after treatment for patients receiving treatment for hearing loss.
Social Decline
Social isolation is a well-documented outcome of untreated hearing loss. As communication becomes more difficult, individuals may withdraw from social interactions, leading to decreased participation in family gatherings, workplace activities, and social events. According to research published in The Lancet, social isolation itself is a known risk factor for conditions like dementia and cognitive decline. In a 2022 Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience study researchers found that untreated hearing loss significantly increases the likelihood of being emotionally lonely and hearing-impaired older adults are at a greater risk of developing loneliness and psychological discomfort.
Financial Decline
The financial implications of untreated hearing loss are twofold: direct healthcare costs and reduced earning potential. A study by the Hearing Loss Association of America reports that individuals with hearing loss are more likely to experience reduced employment opportunities and lower wages. In fact, untreated hearing loss is associated with an average annual income reduction of up to $30,000, largely due to the challenges of communication in the workplace. Additionally, untreated hearing loss can lead to increased healthcare expenditures as individuals may require more frequent medical interventions for related health issues like depression and cardiovascular disease.
Physical Decline
Hearing loss also has physical health implications, particularly regarding balance and mobility. Research from Johns Hopkins University has found that individuals with hearing loss are three times more likely to suffer from falls than those without Most recently, in the October 2024 JAMA Neurology issue, researchers found that hearing loss was associated with Parkinsons and that this risk was attenuated by hearing aid dispensation. Additionally, a 2021 JAMA study found that adults in the US, participants with hearing impairment had significantly poorer physical function, worse walking endurance, and faster declines in physical function over time compared with those with normal hearing.
Conclusion
Untreated hearing loss significantly impacts emotional, social, financial, physical, and cognitive well-being. The compounding effects of isolation, emotional stress, financial challenges, physical health risks, and cognitive decline underscore the importance of addressing hearing loss early. Utilizing hearing aids or other hearing devices can help mitigate these risks, enhancing the quality of life and reducing the burden of associated health problems. As hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent and treatable conditions, raising awareness about its far-reaching consequences is crucial for public health.
If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing difficulties, consult with a hearing care professional to discuss options for treatment, which may improve not only hearing but overall health and well-being.
Sources:
JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(10):e2440400. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.40400
The Lancet, Volume 404, Issue 10452, 572 - 628
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;142(7):652-657. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.0700
Frontiers in Neuroscience Oct 2023
https://ourworldindata.org/burden-of-disease
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:716–720
Jama Neurology Oct 2024
JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(6):e2113742.