Central Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles of the Villages
Related Articles
Ever heard of these side effects of hearing loss? Read on to discover some of the unknown problems stemming from losing your hearing.
It’s Not All About the Ears: Side Effects of Hearing Loss That Might Surprise You
For individuals struggling with hearing loss, there’s more to the problem than just their ears. As with any chronic or life-changing condition, the loss of your hearing over time can be just as debilitating. Especially when it comes to the full range of lesser-known side effects that come along with hearing issues like tinnitus – from depression to stress to a worsened quality of life overall. We’ve taken a closer look at some of the common, but lesser discussed, symptoms that untreated hearing loss can lead to – and some of the conditions included may surprise you.
The human body and mind are more complicated than we think. When one thing goes wrong, it can affect other parts of the body in ways we don’t expect. When it comes to people with tinnitus or different types of hearing loss, the effects of this condition aren’t just limited to the symptoms experienced. Hearing care professionals now understand that tinnitus and other forms of hearing loss can have a significant impact on a range of different areas if left untreated.
Unusual hearing loss side effects that you could experience
If you currently have problems with your hearing that are going untreated, then you may be experiencing some of the side effects on this list. Particularly for individuals with tinnitus where treatment isn’t being managed, side effects can be a significant part of this condition. Our auditory nerves can do far more than mess with the way we hear things. In chronic instances, they can also affect the way we see and interact with the world – which can have all kinds of unforeseen consequences.
Cognitive function decline
While the term cognitive function decline is a particularly medical-sounding and intimidating term, what this means is that hearing loss can directly affect the health of your brain. As one of your primary senses, the inability to hear correctly can lead to a lack of stimulation. This reduction in stimuli leads to your mind not receiving the same quality of information.
As with any other part of the body that goes unused, over time, your inability to hear can directly impact the cognitive function of your brain. Evidence has even shown that untreated hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of dementia later in life. This makes it even more vital to receive the care and help you need through a hearing device, masking devices, or anything else available to you.
Mental health issues
For many people, our mental health can be directly impacted by how we feel on a given day. Hearing loss, in particular, can be profoundly isolating. As such, the result is mental health problems that can be just as difficult to manage as the hearing loss itself. Anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, and other disorders can be linked back to hearing issues in specific individuals. Especially when it comes to chronic or long-term hearing conditions. Mood disorder and seasonal affective disorder may also be linked to hearing loss. It’s no surprise that mental illness can result from such a stressful and debilitating condition. The best thing you can do to lessen the psychological effect that hearing loss can have is getting treatment swiftly and effectively.
Relationship problems
It’s no stretch to say that chronic illness can have a severe impact on those around you. Hearing loss is no exception, and studies have shown those with this condition have a harder time keeping relationships ticking over. Hearing loss can make it more challenging to communicate with the world altogether. The isolation that untreated conditions can cause extends to both working relationships and personal relationships. Talking to others and listening to them is a vital part of a healthy relationship – something that untreated hearing loss can make very difficult.
Stomach issues and chronic pain
As anyone with anxiety, stress, or tension can tell you, stomach pain and related issues can be a serious problem. As a condition that can lead to all of these symptoms, hearing loss can be as physically debilitating as it is mentally. The stress this condition causes can lead to all kinds of unpleasant physical symptoms. Cramps, pain, diarrhea, and constipation are just a few. In the long term, conditions like IBS can stem from hearing loss, making the physical side effects just as bad as the potential mental ones for many.
What to do if you’re experiencing additional side effects from hearing loss or tinnitus
If you’re struggling with hearing loss, whether due to your ear canal, ringing in the ears, or other forms of hearing loss, the first step is to speak to a trained medical professional. But for individuals with long-term hearing loss where other symptoms have already appeared, the process may require a little extra input. If you’re struggling with mental illness as a result of hearing loss, then speaking to a therapist or doctor trained in treating depression should be the first step. Typically, when you seek further treatment alongside the treatment for hearing loss, you’re more able to access the kind of help you need.
There’s no one way to experience side effects, so there’s no single solid answer to what you should do. However, speaking with a doctor or medical professional can help you find the path forward. From there, you can determine a plan to treat your hearing loss as well as actively manage other side effects. It’s important not to assume that treating the source will cure the side effect. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues often won’t go away on your own. Getting effective treatment is the ideal way to ensure you’re healthy, happy, and feeling as good as possible.
Treating hearing loss to prevent unwanted side effects
We know that treating side effects is just as important as treating hearing loss itself. But in those in the early stages of a hearing loss condition, seeking help early can prevent those side effects from having time to occur. Hearing aids work for many as an effective way to mitigate hearing problems and treat the condition overall, including for people with tinnitus. A trained hearing care professional will be able to provide input, plan, and care for your hearing needs. Prevention is the best possible cure – so getting treatment earlier is the ideal thing to do.
If hearing loss is harming your life, a hearing test from Signia could be the first step in the right direction. Or sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news, information, and interesting articles directly to your inbox.
Contact Premear Hearing today to find out more about your options to improve your hearing or to upgrade your hearing devices.
Premear Hearing Clinics: Serving You Since 1964
Premear Hearing Clinics proudly boasts that The Mahan Family has provided professional and compassionate care to Central Florida’s hearing impaired since 1964. Our family continues to provide you with quality hearing products and excellent customer service. We also offer FREE 30 Day Trials, FREE Lifetime Servicing, FREE Repairs for any hearing aid from any manufacturer, and provide Financing options to fit your budget with 0% interest to you. We also accept many insurance plans. At Premear Hearing it is our goal to better your hearing and your quality of life.
Contact Premear Hearing today to find out more about your options to improve your hearing or to upgrade your hearing devices.
To schedule your appointment, please call Premear Hearing today at 352-236-6700 (East) or 352-438-0050 (West).
Ocala’s Only Family Owned Hearing Care Provider with 2 Locations.
352-438-0050
4620 E Silver Springs Blvd #501, Ocala, FL 34470
352-236-6700
4414 SW College Rd #1530, Ocala, FL 34474
Source:
1. https://www.signia-hearing.com/blog/unsual-side-effects-of-hearing-loss/
