Dallas County Living Well Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 48
Effects of Hearing Loss on a Patient’s Life
By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D.
We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to
communication difficulties. However, your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life. Statistically, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in
older Americans after hypertension and arthritis. Aging also
brings cognitive processing deficits that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss,
falls, and other accidents. Let’s examine these effects.
Memory and Hearing Loss––Adults with hearing loss are more
likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than
adults with normal hearing. Also, adults with hearing loss develop a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities 3.2
years sooner than those with normal hearing. It’s believed that
untreated, degraded hearing may force the brain to devote too
much of its energy/resources to processing sound.
Dementia and Hearing Loss––Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those
who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss. It appears
that this effect increases as the amount of hearing loss increases.
Falling and Hearing Loss––People with mild hearing loss
are three times more likely to have a history of falling. Each
additional increase of hearing loss by 10 decibels increases the chance of falling by 1.4 times the original risk.
Mental Health and Hearing Loss––Hearing loss results in
social isolation. Adults with untreated hearing loss tend to
withdraw from engaging with family and friends. They are
also likely to report depression, anxiety, anger, and frustration. The degree of depression or other emotional or mental
health issues also increases with the severity of the hearing
loss.
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss––Tinnitus or “ringing in the ear”
affects up to 50 million Americans. Ninety percent of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. The most common
causes of tinnitus are: noise exposure, aging, head injury,
and medication side effects.
Income and Hearing Loss––Statistics show that people with
untreated hearing loss lose up to $30,000 annually. Adults
with hearing loss, who wear hearing aids, have a lower
unemployment rate than those who don’t.
To hear better, is to live better! Start a better health
and wellness conversation today! Better hearing
health is possible! Call your audiologist today!
HEARING SERVICES
Better Hearing Keeps You Connected!
of McKinney
• Staffed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology
• Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs
• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings
• Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids
• Hearing Evaluations For All Ages
• Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions
• Battery Purchase Programs
“After 10 years of training hearing
• Custom Ear Protection
professionals, I decided to come home
• Assistive Devices
to McKinney to do what I love
most-helping the hearing impaired”.
• 26 Years of Experience
Liz Brassine, Au.D.
Locally Owned and Operated
Financing Options Available
Mon-Fri: 8:30am- 5:00pm
Other times available by appt.
46
972.83