It has been reported that the majority of adults who are over the age of 60 experience hearing loss, which is why age is one of the biggest predictors of hearing loss. Hearing loss does not have to impact your quality of life. Many people who experience hearing loss and have sought quality support and treatment, go on to thrive.

However, there has been some research that shows hearing loss that goes untreated, or unsupported, can impact a person’s lifespan. If you do not seek the help of an audiologist, it can often leave you feeling isolated and impact different areas of your life such as your independence, relationships and self-confidence.

Research shows that although hearing loss can impact life expectancy, it is not entirely clear exactly why. When you experience hearing loss, it can impact your life in many different ways, and it is suggested that a collection of these can impact a person’s life expectancy. Here are some of the ways that hearing can impact your life expectancy, and what you can do about it.

Cognitive Decline

Hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, for example, in cases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. When a person is experiencing a cognitive disease, the brain works completely different and experiences less mental ability to process words and conversations, as the brain is working extra hard to differentiate the words. This can also lead to difficulty in completing daily tasks.

Heart Disease

There has been a strong link tied to hearing loss and tinnitus and heart disease. This is because the body has to adapt, so the blood vessels in the ear canal are affected by the changes of high blood pressure, which in turn constricts the blood vessels. This leads to the body having to work harder, so hearing becomes more difficult and some may even experience tinnitus or a whooshing sound.

Mental Health

A person experiencing hearing loss may also lose their confidence, and their self-esteem may be impacted. This can result in a person feeling lonely, isolating themselves a lot more than usual due to not being able to follow a conversation or get involved as much as before, anxiety when having to conduct certain tasks and even depression. This can all lead to a general mental decline, as there is less interaction and stimulation in everyday life which keeps your brain active, for example, and utilizing memory and thinking skills. Mental health issues alone can impact a person’s life expectancy and significantly reduce it.

Although a person’s lifespan can be impacted by hearing loss, it doesn’t have to be negative. Hearing loss can be treated in a wide variety of ways to help you take better care of yourself. You can also take additional steps to address any other accompanying health concerns and increase your life expectancy. It is vital that you take control of your life and your actions, to live a longer and more fruitful life.

Here are some things you can do to help manage your hearing loss positively.

Speak to an Audiologist

It is important that you speak to an audiologist to stay on top of your hearing health and have regular checkups. This will help you take care and preventative action.

Seek Support

If you are experiencing hearing loss, you are not alone. With millions of people around the world experiencing hearing loss, it can be helpful to connect and support each other. There are plenty of support groups, online and in-person, that you can get involved in. This will help keep a positive mindset and reduce negative mental health problems.

Adapt Your Communication

If you are experiencing hearing loss, it may be time to adapt the way you are communicating, so you don’t leave yourself out of conversations. You are going through changes, so it will take time to adapt, but it can be done. Firstly, let the other party know you have difficulty hearing. Secondly, make sure you are in a position facing the person you are talking to, with good lighting. Socialization is a real key aspect of living happier, and longer. You’ll soon find how you can best communicate.

Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

Staying healthy, by getting involved in regular exercise and eating nutritious foods, will help reduce the chances of adopting any other diseases that can cause or further impact, hearing loss. These actions will also positively impact your mental health, making your life much more enjoyable, as you can do more and will live much longer.

Seeking support from an audiologist is a great place to start. To learn more about Audiology Associates, please call us today at 573-332-7000 today.