At Audiology Center of Maine, it is our privilege to provide you with the gold standard in hearing healthcare assessment, diagnosis and treatment. We understand that starting hearing loss treatment early will lead to the best outcomes for our patients.
Hearing Loss Facts
Hearing loss, a progressive degenerative disorder, impacts nearly 50 million people in the U.S. It’s listed with the Department of Health and Human Services as the third most chronic disorder affecting today’s older population.
Unfortunately, hearing loss that occurs as we age is nearly inevitable, impacting up to 50% of seniors 75 years and older, up to 60% of people between the ages of 70-80 and up to 80% of individuals over 80. This slow-onset disease can have a significant impact on several key areas, including the memory, hearing, speech and language portions of cognition.
Several key research studies have pointed to the potential links of hearing loss and dementia, including the groundbreaking work from Johns Hopkins Center that indicates hearing loss can increase the risk of memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia by as much as 500%.
How Do I Know if I Have Hearing Loss?
It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation
- Feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening
- Avoiding social activities or family gatherings
Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.
Hearing Care Is Health Care
Hearing loss can affect nearly all aspects of life.
- Relationships. Breakdown in communication can cause misunderstandings, arguments and social withdrawal.
- Perceived mental competency. Clear and effective communication is often linked to competence in various social and professional settings.
- Intimacy. Effective communication is crucial for emotional connection, understanding and overall relationship satisfaction. When one or both partners experience hearing loss, it can lead to misunderstandings, frustration and a sense of disconnection.
- Psychological effects. Untreated hearing loss can cause social isolation, loneliness, frustration, anxiety and depression.
- Falls. The risk of falling has been documented to be as much as 3x higher in patients with hearing loss. Patients with mild cognitive impairment are clinically shown to be 14 times more likely to have degraded postural stability and elevated fall risk.
Why Early Intervention for Hearing Loss Matters
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can significantly improve your prognosis for recovery. It can also help reduce the risk of degeneration in cognitive function and other aspects of your health. When hearing loss is addressed promptly, individuals are more likely to experience improved communication, enhanced quality of life and better overall health.
Hearing Loss Treatment Is Preventative Care
Recent scientific reports indicate that as many as 4 in 10 cases of dementia are considered preventable (Lancet, 2020). Early treatment of hearing loss is indicated to significantly lower the risk of dementia. In addition, reports indicate that addressing hearing loss may slow down the progression of cognitive decline and dementia. Reports also show that treating hearing loss may improve cognitive function by enhancing memory recall, processing speed and selective attention.
Audiology Center of Maine Can Identify Hearing Loss Early
Our audiologists and support team prioritize the thorough assessment and treatment of hearing loss. We firmly assert that upon identifying hearing impairment, timely intervention (including the use of prescriptive hearing devices) is crucial to mitigate the heightened risk of communication difficulties, cognitive decline, falls and accidents. We anticipate and trust that individuals seeking our services are committed to promptly pursuing recommended treatment following diagnosis.
Call Audiology Center of Maine at (207) 664-2123 for more information or to schedule an appointment.