Aging with grace takes on new meaning when 70 is the new 50. We all want to enjoy active, vibrant lives within our senior years, which is why so many people begin prioritizing the addition of supportive health habits like exercise, meditation and socialization in their 40s and 50s. Planning and preventative measures today can really pay off tomorrow!
You might not realize the extent of influence that your hearing health has on your future mobility, but it is possible to stay active by treating hearing loss.
Encountering Hearing Loss
Statistically, most of us will encounter hearing loss as we age. It might affect a parent, a friend or family member or even ourselves. One-third of people over the age of 65 have hearing loss, a progressive condition that goes on to impact more than 80 percent of all people over the age of 80.
That’s because aging itself takes a toll on the health of important inner ear cells that are responsible for receiving the noise around us and transforming it into sound information. This sound information, in the form of electrical impulses, is then sent to the brain where it is processed into meaningful information.
As time degrades the health of the inner ear cells, the number of cells we have to work with begins to decline. These cells are non-regenerative, which means they don’t repair themselves, nor do we grow new ones. Instead, as our battalion of cells declines, so does our ability to hear the full spectrum of sounds around us.
The signs are subtle and gradual, making age-related hearing loss difficult to self-diagnose.
How Hearing Loss Decreases Mobility
One of the reasons people procrastinate treating their age-related hearing loss is because the condition comes on so slowly, it’s difficult to objectively see how it impacts daily life. As humans, we are adaptable, and so we make minute tweaks to behaviors to accommodate changes like hearing loss without much experienced turbulence in our lives.
But, the impacts of hearing loss can progress over time, just like hearing loss, to add up to insurmountable challenges. The loss of mobility and freedom that comes with age-related hearing loss is one such example.
Studies show that people with hearing loss have more difficulty performing daily activities compared to people without. That means they are more likely to require help with tasks such as shopping and errands. They tend to walk more slowly and carefully. And people with hearing loss also suffer an increased risk of falls and accidents within the home.
The Confidence Boost Of Treating Hearing Loss
Treating hearing loss, on the other hand, can prevent the decline into immobility. As the old adage goes, use it or lose it. When untreated hearing loss pushes us further into a sedentary lifestyle, it becomes more challenging to turn it around as time goes by.
With the addition of hearing aids or other hearing loss solutions, we are again able to move confidently in the world. Conversations become easier and without the old frustrations. Participating in social activities, like group classes or gatherings, are more appealing. We can lean into a vibrant and joyful life.
Increased Safety
Beyond confidence, treating hearing loss actually helps protect us. Shouts, traffic sounds, and alarms are all vital cues that help us stay safe. Without these, we are more vulnerable to injury.
Hearing even helps us orient ourselves in space. It may not even be noticeable to you until this skill begins to fade, but our sense of hearing plays a large role in helping the brain locate us spatially.
Prolong Cognitive Health
In addition to a healthy and active body, treating hearing loss can also support a healthy brain. People with untreated hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop future cognitive issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Choosing to confront hearing loss with a proven hearing health solution is one way to buffer the risk.
Talk To Our Team Today
If you’re interested in securing a more vibrant future, get in touch today. Our team of highly trained hearing health professionals will guide you through a simple hearing exam to ascertain your current hearing health, then work together to chart your most enhanced hearing future.
