Hearing loss: The importance of early treatment and the risks associated with waiting

The scent of a pumpkin spice latte and the reds and oranges of the leaves as they change color … with Autumn comes many delights for the senses. But what about the sounds that tell us fall has arrived, such as the laughter of kids jumping in a pile of leaves or the crackling of logs in the fireplace? Don’t let hearing loss stand in your way of enjoying the changing season.

Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, not just older individuals. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 37.5 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, but only about 20 percent of those people will seek treatment. And of those that do seek treatment, an average of 7-10 years goes by before they are fitted with a hearing aid and effectively treated.

Why do people wait so long? There are several factors:

• Gradual onset of the hearing loss causes a person to believe he or she hears “well enough.”
• Other family members often compensate for the hearing loss and are bothered by it well before the person with hearing loss is ready to admit to a problem.
• There is a stigma about wearing hearing aids.
• Many people think hearing aids are for “old people.”
• Hearing aids are expensive, and many insurance plans do not cover them.

This Audiology Awareness Month, MultiCare Audiologist Joni Johnson, brings to light the importance of being treated for hearing loss as early as possible, and the risks and consequences associated with waiting.

Scientific evidence shows that the sooner you get help, the easier it will be for your brain to use the pathways intended for listening and understanding.

This is true for children, whose auditory pathways are still being formed, which is why we fit babies with hearing aids as soon as hearing loss is identified.

It is also true for adults whose auditory pathways are already developed. We need to “use it or lose it.”

The longer one goes without the ability to hear well, the more work it will be to make sense of what is heard through hearing aids. Furthermore, there is a growing body of scientific literature showing that untreated hearing loss can negatively affect overall quality of life.

The communication effects of untreated hearing loss are fairly predictable: when a person cannot hear well, it is difficult to participate in group conversations and enjoy places that are noisy. Listening can be exhausting. Meaningful conversation becomes work.

The psychological effects of untreated hearing loss are equally important. Daily struggle to hear and understand others can cause frustration, angry outbursts, embarrassment or withdrawal from activities. This limited social interaction can affect self-esteem and confidence, and it can contribute to depression.

Furthermore, recent research has shown that hearing loss is strongly associated with dementia. People with hearing loss showed two to five times the incidence rate of dementia as did people with normal hearing. The greater the hearing loss, the greater the risk for dementia.

What does this mean for people who wear hearing aids? This question is the focus of ongoing research. Here is what we know:

• Hearing loss can be associated with decreased social/emotional, communication and cognitive function as well as increased depression. These issues improve after hearing aids are fit.
• Make sure patients with dementia have every opportunity to connect with the people and environment around them. Wearing hearing aids will not change the declining cognitive function associated with dementia but will allow a patient to interact with loved ones and the environment much better than without hearing aids — and without as much effort.
• Good communication strategies, consistent use of amplification and listening exercises provide the best possible benefit from hearing aids. Hearing what we need to hear is good “brain food.”
• Make sure hearing aids are matched to the patient’s listening needs. If you’re unhappy with your hearing aid, see an audiologist to determine if your hearing loss has changed, your hearing aid is programmed correctly or if the instruments need service or replacement.
• Research is underway to evaluate ongoing, consistent hearing aid use among patients with dementia, and also to explore the benefit of listening skill training.

The best results come from treating hearing loss as soon as it is identified. Using well-fitting hearing aids every day and using good communication strategies is not only smart — it’s brain smart.

October is a great month to get your hearing checked or to encourage a loved one to do so as well. Make an appointment with MultiCare audiologist and start negating the effects of untreated hearing loss today.