Benefits of taking action on hearing loss
Post on 24th March 2022
At Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care we have been treating hearing loss since the 1950’s. With this in mind, we have seen first hand the benefits of tackling hearing loss, and feel passionate about the importance of taking care of your hearing.
Hearing loss affects people’s quality of life in so many ways and now research suggests it may also be linked to a decline in physical activity among older people. Alongside this, it can often impact personal and professional relationships. That’s why we have detailed some of the key benefits you can experience by taking action on hearing loss.
Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)
One of the most common types of hearing loss occurring in adults is presbycusis, also known as age-related hearing loss. So what is presbycusis? It is a condition used to describe a lifetime of exposure to loud noises and changes to the inner ear. All of which contribute to hearing loss. While hearing protection when exposed to loud noises can help to minimise their impact, often the decline is inevitable. Therefore, hearing should be monitored with regular hearing health checks.
In one study, researchers from the National Institute on Ageing and John Hopkins University noticed that people aged 60 to 69 with mild to severe hearing loss tended to exercise less than those with normal hearing. The greater the severity of hearing loss, the more likely the participant was sedentary for longer during the day.
Tasking the above into account, one reason to take action on hearing loss is to improve your ability to increase physical activity and avoid the further health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Balance and hearing loss
One possible explanation for the decrease in physical activity is the dizziness or imbalance often associated with Age-Related hearing loss. We rely on the labyrinth, a maze of bone and tissue located in the inner ear to balance ourselves. Inflammation or damage of these bones and tissues can cause a variety of symptoms including:
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in the ear
- Lightheaded
- Nausea
Hearing loss is not always a symptom of inner ear problems. So, if you are experiencing balance issues and vertigo, it is worth visiting a Hearing Audiologist to determine if your ears are the root cause.
Hearing loss in one ear
Hearing loss in one ear is can cause a number of impacts, such as:
- Disorientation, particularly in crowds
- Difficulty hearing higher pitched sounds/voices – often female voices are harder to hear than men’s
- Difficulty locating sounds
- Inaccurate volume detection
By treating hearing loss in one ear, you will improve your confidence in crowds as the disorientation ceases, allowing you to make plans freely and take stress away. Treating hearing loss can also help you to communicate better. This is because you are no longer losing higher pitched sounds, or having to concentrate just to hear what the person is saying to you.
How to spot hearing loss
You may have noticed that you turn the television up louder than you used to. Or, perhaps your spouse tells you it’s too loud and to turn it down, yet you can barely hear it. Maybe you are often asking others to repeat themselves because you couldn’t hear them the first time.
There are lots of small ways you can notice changes in your hearing, and often many of them are put down to simply a part of ageing that must be accepted. However, although we know that it is not unusual for hearing to decline as we age, it can be treated. In fact, a better quality of hearing and life can be achieved if you take action on hearing loss.
So how often should you get your hearing tested? We recommend a hearing health check every two years to monitor your hearing health, or any time you have noticed a change in your hearing. We also offer a free online hearing test that can determine a need for further investigation if it is needed. However, this shouldn’t replace a regular hearing check from a professional.
How to treat hearing loss
Taking action on hearing loss does not always mean you will be accepting hearing aids to treat your loss. One of the benefits of treating hearing loss is that you may potentially discover that actually your problem is associated with a build up of earwax, and treatment of the earwax is restorative to your hearing. Other situations, particularly where you experience a sudden loss of hearing in one ear, could be associated with a perforated eardrum. Although this doesn’t always require treatment, seeking medical advice to determine the cause is advised.
However, if you do require hearing aids to improve hearing there are a variety of options to suit so many different styles and requirements. With practically invisible hearing aids, and a variety of different technology levels available, we can be sure you will find a hearing aid that leaves you feeling comfortable and confident.
To summarise, treating your hearing loss holds the power to improve your personal relationships, by removing a source of tension and allowing you to communicate freely. It also opens the door to safer physical activity and provides a sense of freedom and independence.
So whether you are looking for the best hearing aid to treat tinnitus, hearing aids for severe hearing loss or simply want to know the latest technology for hearing loss that will improve hearing, our team will be happy to help you find the right solution for your hearing.
Book an appointment today and take action on hearing loss.