Living with untreated hearing loss affects far more than your ability to hear. Other risks that may impact your life include:
You can learn more in detail about each consequence below.
When you have difficulty hearing what’s going on around you, your mental sharpness may decline. This is due to a reduction of stimulation to the brain, which may impair its ability to process sound and recognize speech.
How’s your hearing?
Take our online hearing test to get an indication of how well you hear.
Online hearing test
Living with even a mild case of hearing loss can double your risk of developing dementia. The more severe the case, the greater the risk of cognitive decline.
A moderate case of hearing loss, for example, triples your risk. With a severe case of hearing loss, you’re up to five times more likely to develop dementia.2 Learn more about the link between hearing loss and dementia:
Answer a few questions to see if you could benefit from a hearing assessment.*
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing assessment in one of our hearing centers.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing assessment can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing assessment in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing assessment can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing assessment in one of our hearing centers.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing assessment can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Do you find it hard to remember what you’ve just heard? It can be difficult to comprehend and remember what’s being said when it’s a struggle to hear it in the first place.
This is because the extra cognitive resources required to listen reduce the resources available for memory and comprehension.
How to get a risk-free hearing aid trial
As your hearing worsens, it becomes more challenging to follow everyday conversations. You may need to ask people to repeat themselves frequently, or you might sit closer to people so that you can read their lips or watch their facial expressions in order to understand conversations.
You may even nod and pretend to understand what is being said. Jokes aren't as funny if you miss the punchline.
Sensorineural hearing loss
You may find it harder to keep in touch with your circle of friends when you have difficulty hearing. It may be particularly noticeable in certain settings, such as larger gatherings or dinner parties.
As a result, you may find yourself withdrawing from certain social events or declining invitations. In fact, research shows that seniors with untreated hearing loss are 20-24%5 less likely to participate in social activities.
Treatment of hearing loss
As your hearing ability declines, you may find it difficult to decipher and locate sounds around you. This may lead you to feel more insecure about your surroundings.
When it’s difficult to hear, communication can be exhausting. This is because you must dig deeper into your cognitive reserves to understand.
This can be particularly taxing at social events, in restaurants or in crowds, where you may need to concentrate even harder to decipher what people say to you.
Learn from others with hearing loss
According to a study by the Better Hearing Institute, untreated hearing difficulties can impact your earning potential.
It can account for up to $30,000 in lost income annually and can impact your performance at work. When you don't hear clearly, you risk missing key information in meetings or directives from supervisors.
Book a complimentary hearing assessment
Au.D., Doctor of Audiology
Lic. #364, Chief Audiologist, HearingLife
Dr. Leslie Soiles founded HearingLife's Shrewsbury office (formerly New England Hearing Instruments) in 1996. As a Doctor of Audiology, she has worked with Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians for the first 20 years of her career.
Dr. Soiles serves as Chief Audiologist for HearingLife. Click here to read her complete bio and learn more about her education and background.
