Surveys indicate that the average adult will wait 6-12 years before seeking help for their hearing.

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There are many reasons this occurs. Perhaps they’ve heard negative comments about hearing aids or feel that they will look “old” if they wear them. Their hearing’s “not that bad” or it’s everyone else’s fault – they just don’t speak slowly or loudly enough. Research consistently demonstrates the considerable effects of hearing loss on development as well as the negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects of untreated hearing loss. The issues are not isolated to hearing alone. Individuals with hearing loss experience communication barriers that can damage their personal as well as professional lives leading to isolation, depression, and withdrawal.

 

Studies have linked untreated hearing loss effects to:

• irritability, negativism and anger

• fatigue, tension, stress and depression

• avoidance or withdrawal from social situations

• social rejection and loneliness

• reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety

• impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks

• reduced job performance and earning power

• diminished psychological and overall health