Hearing loss is common. In fact, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing,” reports the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
If you suspect you may have hearing loss but haven’t yet scheduled a hearing test, below we review five reasons why you should seek treatment for your hearing loss this year.
1. Better Hearing
This is an obvious one – you’ll be able to hear better with hearing loss treatment than you can without. You may not even realize all the sound you’re missing, from leaves rustling underfoot to birds chirping in the sky.
2. Stronger Communication
Any relationship counselor will tell you that strong communication is the key to any healthy relationship. When you can hear better, you’ll be able to communicate better. All aspects of communication will improve, from the ability to share inside jokes to the ability to follow along with important family announcements.
3. Less Fatigue
Many people with hearing loss find that lengthy conversations or conference meetings at work leave them feel totally drained and fatigued. You may not even realize the cause of these feelings at first. Audiologists refer to this phenomenon as “listening fatigue.” Seeking treatment can help. According to one 2021 study, “Hearing-aid fitting led to a significant reduction in listening-related fatigue in the intervention group compared to the control group.”
4. More Socialization
The same study referenced above also found that, “Social activity level increased and social participation restriction decreased significantly after hearing aid fitting in the intervention group compared to the control group.” Socialization with friends at Moore Community Center not only helps prevent feelings of depression, but also cognitive decline such as dementia, too.
5. Increased Safety
When you can’t hear well, you’re more likely to miss important warning sounds like that of a person shouting, a car horn or even a fire alarm. This can jeopardize your sense of safety. Wearing hearing aids can keep you more alert to these warning sounds and prevent an accident.
For more information or to schedule a hearing test with an expert audiologist, call Audiology Center of Maine today.