In the United States, hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition. A very concerning issue is that many people will wait years after beginning to experience hearing loss signs before seeking help. Too often, people suffering from hearing loss will never seek help! Why can this be so dangerous? Untreated hearing loss has linked to many negative impacts on an individual’s quality of life and overall health.
Our ears and the ability to hear are essential, just like any of our other primary senses. Studies have shown that severe health risks become far more likely when we are suffering from hearing loss and ignoring our hearing health. The risk of developing mental and cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, increase the longer that hearing loss is ignored. Hearing problems and declining hearing health have also been connected to social isolation and increased depression and anxiety, which can also lead to workplace problems.
Detecting hearing problems early and seeking treatment often results in hearing loss drastically slowing down and severe health concerns being avoided altogether.
Making an effort to improve your hearing health is a two-part process. Everyone can start with having a free hearing screening completed. Medical professionals even recommend that all adults 50 and older have hearing evaluations scheduled annually to monitor their hearing health. This can make a big difference since many people start to experience hearing loss symptoms and do not realize the seriousness at first.
The second step to focusing on your hearing health is to know the symptoms that you should be looking out for. The most common symptoms associated with hearing loss are:
- Ringing in your ears (also known as tinnitus)
- Increased difficulty in understanding conversations in loud environments
- Problems understanding people over the phone
- Straining to understand higher-pitched voices and sounds
- Difficulty following conversations when multiple people are talking
- Believing many people you speak to are mumbling
- Yelling or raising your voice often without realizing it
- Asking people to repeat themselves regularly
- Misunderstanding and not hearing what others are saying often
If you are experiencing some of the above symptoms, or already know that your hearing is deteriorating, call Beltone Chicago today to schedule a free hearing screening. Be proactive with your hearing health and improving your quality of life. Whether a temporary blockage or infection causes your hearing loss or is a degenerative condition, seeking treatment is the key to finding answers and improving your health.
Call (800) 900-6187 today or use our online form to schedule a comprehensive hearing test. At Beltone Chicago, we are committed to your hearing health and providing the latest digital hearing aids customized to your hearing levels. Our hearing care specialists will work to find the right hearing health solution for you.