Healthy Tips
Many people prioritize staying up to date with their yearly health physicals, dental cleanings and eye exams. Yet, 77% of Americans over 50 haven’t had their hearing checked in the last two years.1
These low rates for hearing screening are concerning, since hearing loss is one of the common chronic health conditions Americans face. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, more than 50 million U.S. adults struggle with some degree of hearing loss.
If you’ve noticed it’s becoming harder to hear conversations at home or at work, it may be time to have your hearing checked. Left untreated, hearing loss can negatively impact both your physical and social health. Learn more from TruHearing® on how hearing loss can impact your overall health.
Hearing Loss Affects Mental Well-Being
Studies have shown that your capacity to hear and interact with others plays a role in your overall mental health. Research has linked untreated hearing loss to higher rates of depression, anxiety and social isolation. Studies have also associated long-term hearing loss with an increased risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. The science is clear: hearing well is central to overall well-being. 2
Hearing Loss Negatively Impacts Social Health and Productivity
Many people actively withdraw from social settings when they can no longer hear well. As a result, untreated hearing loss often leads to feelings of loneliness and isolation.2 In workplace settings, hearing difficulties can also negatively impact productivity. If you’re struggling with hearing loss, you may miss oral instructions or have to ask for repeated clarification, according to research by TruHearing®.3
The Value of Improved Hearing
Fortunately, you don’t have to let hearing loss go unchecked. Modern hearing aids come in a wide range of styles and price points, making it easy to find a set to fit your lifestyle and budget. If you’ve been on the fence about having a hearing exam, make the leap to get tested this fall. Tests are quick and painless — and your insurance may cover them.
If a screening shows you have hearing loss, discuss your results with an audiologist or other hearing instrument specialist. They can assist you in exploring available hearing supports to return your hearing to normal levels.
Most people who opt for hearing aids report they’re glad they did. One study found that roughly 80 percent of hearing aid users felt they communicated and engaged better after addressing their hearing loss. Other research found that employees boosted their work quality with hearing aid support.
Talk with a hearing aid user in your life. They’ll likely tell you about the positive difference their hearing aids have made. One health industry survey found nearly all hearing aid users — 97 percent — felt their hearing aids made life better. And 68 percent wished they had gotten them sooner.4
If you’re struggling to hear, don’t wait to seek support and risk missing out on the moments that matter. Schedule an exam with a qualified hearing health provider today.
1. https://ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/news/most-older-adults-havent-gotten…
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8292986/
3. Online survey conducted by TruHearing of 270 employed consumers with hearing loss, May 2021 (n=2,000)
4. https://www.ehima.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EuroTrak-Trends-2009-2…;
