Julie Raney is a certified and licensed audiologist. She has a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Idaho State University. She has worked as a clinical audiologist in Colorado since 2005. She specializes in hearing amplification for adults and delivers her services in both English and Sign Language.

Hearing Loss and Overall Health

It might surprise you to learn that hearing loss has been linked to a wide number of negative health outcomes, and affects far more than your ability to hear. Living with untreated hearing loss can lead to a decrease in your overall health and well-being. A recent study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery discovered that hearing loss is linked to many medical conditions. The study looked at data of over 200,000 seniors across the country, and found that living with untreated hearing loss for even two years can lead to a host of other health problems.

If you have untreated hearing loss, you can expect to struggle with your relationships and face social isolation and even depression. The study found that those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to experience rapid cognitive decline, and suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Other health outcomes included more heart attacks and strokes, a greater risk of falls, and higher rates of injury such as sprains or bone fractures.

Hearing Loss and Relationships

If you have untreated hearing loss, you’ve probably already started to experience the negative outcomes of hearing loss. When you’re not able to communicate clearly, your relationships suffer, and you start to lose the people that mean the most to you. With hearing loss, you suffer from low self-confidence and may choose to stay home rather than meeting friends across town for a drink. Hearing loss leads to isolation, and loneliness, and a 2017 study performed by the National Institution of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders found that 11% of people with hearing loss also struggled with depression! “We found a significant association between hearing impairment and moderate to severe depression,” explained Dr Chuan-Ming Li, the author of the study.

Hearing Loss and Safety

Those living with untreated hearing loss also risk their safety, and the safety of the people around them. If you’re unable to hear clearly, you might miss important warning sounds, such as sirens, an alarm bell, a car honk, or even your colleague yelling about a hazard you haven’t noticed.

Even more, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, those with hearing loss are more prone to accidents, trips, slips, and falls. Hearing plays an important part in keeping you safe by helping you localize sounds, be aware of hazards in the environment, and even keep your balance.

How to Treat Your Hearing Loss

If you’re living with untreated hearing loss, don’t put off seeking treatment. Your overall health and wellbeing will suffer, and some things can never be undone. If you’re ready to take control of your life, and do the right thing for your hearing health, follow the steps below.
• The first thing you need to do is admit that you have hearing loss, and tell your family and friends you’re ready to start hearing. They want you to be able to communicate easily with them, and they’ll be more than supportive in finding ways to help you hear, and encouraging you to do the right thing for your hearing health.
• Visit us at New Leaf Clinic for a hearing assessment, and find out what kind of hearing device will work well for your lifestyle and hearing needs.
• Don’t get stuck in negative thoughts, or believe that hearing devices will age you. When you’re able to be active in the community, and enjoy spending time with your friends, no one will think your hearing aids make you seem old, but they’ll be happy to have you cracking jokes and keeping up with all the stories.
• Reach out to someone who has successfully treated their hearing loss. The added support will help you meet your hearing health goals, and help you follow through with finding the perfect device for you.

Visit Us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic

Ready to do the right thing for your ears and your overall health? Visit us today at New Leaf Hearing Clinic for a hearing test!