As you age, your bodily functions start to deteriorate. Of your senses, hearing is one the scariest to see go. This is because hearing has always been such an important part of communicating and interacting with those around us. Without hearing, we are effectively cut off from others. Furthermore, hearing loss is an invisible disability. The behaviors associated with hearing loss may not be immediately apparent which adds further stigma to those who struggle with hearing loss. Therefore, seeking help as soon as you recognize a decrease in hearing quality is crucial Read on to learn more about the effects of hearing loss in older adults.
Diminished Personal Safety
Hearing is important in protecting ourselves. We are more likely to perceive a threat through hearing than any of our other senses if they can be detected at all. Crossing the road, driving, fire emergencies, and intruders are all examples of potential threats that can be easily detected and avoided with the help of hearing. For those with hearing loss, they have greater difficulty locating these potential threats and are thus more likely to fall victim to them. This is especially dangerous for older adults who live alone and have no one to help them in such situations.
Social Withdrawal
How would you feel if you are unable to communicate properly with your loved one? Many of those who have hearing loss do not want to face the reality of their problem and choose to withdraw from social interactions altogether. They are easily confused as they are unable to participate or follow in a conversation. They thus feel lonely even with socializing and this leads to a vicious cycle of avoiding social interactions. This in can in turn lead to social isolation which opens the door to more severe mental conditions down the road.
Heightened Miscommunications
Older adults with hearing loss are often mistakenly thought to be confused due to their unresponsiveness. They might be thought of as unintelligent or suffering from cognitive impairment. In other cases, this unresponsiveness can be taken as aggressiveness and can make the person with hearing loss seem unfriendly when they are not. The negative perceptions others have on the person will cause them to have a similar bad image about themselves, lowering self-esteem. If left untreated, these older adults can develop depression or social anxiety.
Decline in Mental Health
There have been many studies conducted to discover the associations between hearing and mental health. There is a strong link between unattended hearing loss and cognitive decline. In a study published in Aging & Mental Health, researchers found that even mild hearing loss could double the risk of developing dementia. This is because hearing loss contributes to a faster rate of brain deterioration. Other factors include social withdrawal and increased pressure on brain processing. As such, hearing should be carefully monitored, and you should visit the doctor at the first sign of hearing loss to maintain your mental health.
