Hearing loss affects more than just the ears. An untreated hearing loss puts you at a significantly higher risk for developing dementia, Alzheimer’s, and falling.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
We know when your brain is not receiving the adequate stimulation it needs from your ear, the nerve fibers in your brain begin to atrophy and die. When this starts to happen, you increase your risk of developing dementia. This begins at the first signs of hearing loss. In fact, you are TWICE as likely to be diagnosed with dementia even with a minimal hearing loss, and this risk only increases as your hearing becomes worse. Dementia is a horrible and heartbreaking disease for patients and families to go through. When you seek treatment for your hearing loss, you are greatly reducing your risk of this terrible diagnosis.
Falling
Did you know falling is the number one cause of injury and death in older adults? Medical expenses from older adults falling reaches over $30 billion every year. Many people do not know that the ear and the balance system are connected. When you have an untreated hearing loss your brain and balance system are not receiving critical information about objects near your feet (i.e. a pet), you have decreased spatial awareness, and an increase in cognitive load. All of these things lend to a THREE FOLD increased risk of falling.
Solutions
Hearing loss affects so much more than just the ears. Your risks of cognitive decline and falling can be greatly reduced with appropriate hearing aid treatment. Contact us now for a free hearing screening from our professional consultants.