Untreated hearing loss is like wandering through a dark and foggy forest alone, at night. We’ve all seen movies with this theme, and we all know that the outcomes aren’t good! Untreated hearing loss will eventually damage your physical, emotional, social, and mental health and well-being. The crisis triggered by untreated hearing loss will likely have a profound effect on your relationships with loved ones, family, and friends. A growing body of scientific research indicates that hearing loss promotes and/or aggravates a host of serious medical and emotional conditions (see the chart, above), including cardiovascular disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, social isolation, and depression. In addition, unattended hearing loss promotes balance disorders, leading to serious falls and hospitalisations. 

Other consequences of untreated hearing loss include diminished earning potential. A study by the Better Hearing Institute titled The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Household Income concluded that hearing loss has a serious negative impact on family income. In a survey of more than 40,000 households, utilizing the National Family Opinion panel, hearing loss was shown to negatively impact household income on-average up to $12,000 per year depending on the degree of hearing loss. However, the use of hearing instruments was shown to mitigate the effects of hearing loss by 50%!

It has become increasingly apparent that untreated hearing loss is at the nexus of many chronic diseases and conditions. But it has also become apparent that hearing aids can substantially reduce the effects of hearing loss.