The Link Between Life Expectancy and Hearing Loss

You might not know it but hearing loss has been linked to life expectancy in some studies. One study from Duke-NUS Medical School showed that older adults with hearing or vision impairment might have shorter lives or more health problems than those without. Hearing loss can lead to a range of other physical and mental health issues. This could mean that people with hearing loss have a shorter life expectancy and that their later years are less healthy too. There are several issues that people with hearing loss are more likely to experience, including problems with communication, loneliness, depression and cognitive decline.

Untreated hearing loss together with vision impairment can lead to greater issues too. Having both hearing and vision loss can make it twice as hard for you to complete everyday tasks, which can affect your health and quality of life. Fortunately, hearing loss can be treated in the same way that vision issues can often be addressed using a variety of options. When you get your hearing tested regularly, you can diagnose hearing loss early and make yourself aware of the treatment options available.

How is Hearing Loss Connected to Your Wider Health?

Hearing loss is connected to both your physical health and mental health in multiple ways. There is no clear link between hearing loss and poor health, but there do appear to be a number of correlations. One health problem that has been linked to hearing loss is a greater incidence of heart disease and stroke. Hearing loss and tinnitus are often related to high blood pressure and heart disease. This is because high blood pressure can affect the blood vessels in the ear canal. When tinnitus sounds like a whooshing sound, it could be due to high blood pressure.

Another way hearing loss can be linked to other health issues is that it may be associated with cognitive decline and dementia. This connection could be due to several different things leading people with untreated hearing loss to experience greater cognitive decline. Firstly, if hearing loss is not treated, the brain needs to work harder to process sound and follow a conversation. This means that more of the brain’s power is taken up doing this simple task, leaving less to do other things. Another issue is that people with hearing loss may withdraw from or avoid situations that can keep them mentally stimulated.

Hearing loss has also been related to mental health issues. People who have untreated hearing loss may isolate themselves and be less social. They can experience feelings of loneliness and sadness, and even depression and anxiety.

These health problems not only have an impact on quality of life but could also lead to a shorter life too. If you want to ensure your later years are as healthy and enjoyable as possible, taking care of your hearing health is an important part of that. Caring for your overall health will also help to protect your hearing by avoiding damage to your hearing caused by issues such as high blood pressure.

How to Care for Your Hearing Health

If you want to have a healthier life and possibly even live longer, you should look after your health, including your hearing health. Hearing loss has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, so taking care of your cardiovascular health is an important part of staying healthy and protecting your health. This might involve not smoking or drinking too much, exercising regularly and eating a heart-healthy diet.

Hearing loss is often related to aging and might be inevitable. However, the important thing is that hearing loss is diagnosed and treated. By treating hearing loss, you can avoid some of the health problems that are associated with it, such as cognitive decline and mental health issues. Getting regular hearing tests will help you to identify hearing loss early so that the best treatment can be found.

Hearing aids can treat your hearing loss by amplifying sound and making it easier for your ears and brain to process. They can filter out background noise and enable you to focus on the most important sounds, such as people talking. When you see an audiologist, they can diagnose hearing loss and find the best hearing aids for you too.

Learn more about hearing loss from Audiology and Hearing Aid Center by calling us at (920) 486-6922. You can make an appointment to see an audiologist or ask us any questions that you may have about hearing loss and treatments for hearing loss.