Why Do So Many People Have an Untreated Hearing Loss?

08/03/2020 | Hearing Loss, Patient Resources

Why Do So Many People Have an Untreated Hearing Loss?

Throughout Hearing Health Awareness Month, the team is determined to show how important early treatment is in countering hearing loss.

This is important now as more and more people have been recognizing possible symptoms due to face masks.

Currently, over 44 million people have some type of condition in America. But in 2060, this is predicted to almost double in number.

These are some of the main reasons why people wait years before speaking to one of our specialists at Holland Hearing.

It’s Hard to Spot

One of the simplest reasons why people don’t seek professional help during the early stages of their hearing loss is that they’re unaware that they have a problem.

Hearing loss usually takes place gradually, little by little. You may have witnessed a very loud sound several years ago, for instance, which leads to hearing deterioration later in life.

Most people’s brains also learn to acclimatize to their lack of hearing.

During conversations, they’ll frequently rely on their sight, using lip reading and visual cues to fully grasp the meaning of sentences.

As a result, they can become exhausted very easily, as instead of passively listening, they have to decode a mixture of signs and symbols all the time.

It’s often family members who first become aware of someone experiencing an issue.

Common signs include turning the TV up louder than normal or asking for repetitions of words and phrases.

If you know someone who is displaying these symptoms, it’s important that they see a doctor of audiology as soon as possible.

It’s Hard to Admit

Another reason why many don’t seek help at the first possible opportunity is due to the stigma that, in the past, surrounded hearing loss treatments.

Plenty remember the bulky devices that people wore in the ‘60s and ‘70s, which made them stand out among their peers and didn’t work well.

In addition, hearing loss, unlike other common maladies, is something that only a specialist can diagnose, especially in the early stages.

Frequently, people believe that those with untreated conditions are being rude or not paying attention.

This can lead to them feeling demoralized and unhappy.

Today, hearing aids are compact, discrete, and powerful devices, which can benefit people with a vast range of issues.

And with most health insurers now offering partial or full coverage of treatments, hearing aids have never been more accessible to everyone.

Do you have a concern or know someone who might? Contact the team at Holland Hearing, and they’ll go the extra mile to help you!

 

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Dr. Sue Ann Holland-Vargas AU.D, FAAA

Dr. Sue Ann Holland-Vargas received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Communication Disorders from The University of Texas at Austin. She obtained her Doctorate in Audiology from A.T. Still University within the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Knowledge, compassion, and care resonate in her interactions with others.

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