by Sandra Razzaghipour , Audiometrist

We often take certain aspects of our health for granted until something goes wrong . I remember never really thinking about the process of swallowing until I had surgery that prevented me from swallowing for two days . I couldn ’ t even swallow water ! It ’ s similar with hearing , we may think of it as simply a means to hear speech and sounds , but hearing has a much broader impact on our overall health . If something goes wrong with our hearing , it can negatively affect various other aspects of our lives . In this article , we ’ ll explore some of the significant impacts that hearing loss can have on the whole person . Dementia ( Based on Hearing loss and dementia prevalence in older adults in the United States by Alison Huang , PhD , MPH )

· About 40 % of dementia risk factors are thought to be modifiable .

· Hearing loss accounts for 8 % of these modifiable risk factors .

· Social isolation , which is often exacerbated by hearing loss , accounts for an additional 4 %.

· This means 12 % of dementia risk factors are related to untreated hearing loss .

· The prevalence of dementia among participants with moderate / severe hearing loss was 61 % higher than among those with normal hearing . However , hearing aid use was associated with a 32 %

lower prevalence of dementia in participants with moderate / severe hearing loss .

Social isolation , loneliness and depression

· Untreated hearing loss often leads to difficulties in conversations , causing many people to withdraw from social events .

· As we age , our physical abilities may decline , making verbal communication at social events even more crucial .

· Studies ( Bennett et al ., 2021 ) show that untreated hearing loss is associated with higher rates of depression compared to those with normal hearing .

Risk of falls and hospitalisation

· Over a 10-year period , individuals with untreated hearing loss were 47 % more likely to be hospitalised .

· Hearing loss decreases spatial awareness , making it harder to locate sounds , which can contribute to feeling unsafe in public spaces , such as when crossing roads .

· The fear of falling creates an emotional burden . The desire to stay independent often conflicts with the fear of falling and the potential embarrassment and medical consequences that come with it .

Looking at these impacts , it ’ s clear that hearing loss is far more than just having to ask , “ Beg your pardon ?” from time to

time . Not being able to spend quality time with loved ones because it ’ s too difficult to understand them is just one aspect . By taking care of your hearing , you can stay more engaged in social activities , reducing your risk of dementia and loneliness .

Additionally , reducing the likelihood of falls can help maintain your independence and alleviate the fear of falling . These are just a few of the many benefits that go beyond simply improving your hearing . If you ’ d like to discuss any of these aspects further , don ’ t wait - call our

friendly team today to book your appointment at Ear Studio . We are proudly independent and locally owned , with a deep commitment to helping people regain their lives through better hearing .

We ’ re conveniently located in Lawton House , Castle Hill , with off-street parking available . Suite 10 / 60 Cecil Ave , Castle Hill 2154 . Contact us on 02 9159 6122 , email reception @ earstudio . com . au , or book online at www . earstudio . com . au . We look forward to helping you on your journey to better hearing !