Hearing loss can impact everyday life in significant ways. Extensive research shows that untreated hearing loss is linked to various health conditions including depression symptoms, cognitive decline, and falls. Studies also show that hearing loss can impact physical movement and mobility. This highlights the importance of hearing loss treatment, which not only transforms hearing health but can also improve physicality.
Link Between Hearing Loss and Reduced Physicality
Extensive research investigates the impact hearing loss has on physical capacity as well as mobility. Studies show that hearing loss can reduce physicality and mobility in various ways. A few studies that investigate this link include the following:
- 2021 Study Published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery. Researchers based in Spain examined the impact of hearing loss on physical function and disability in older adults. The study included 1644 people, ages 65 and older. Participants had their hearing assessed and physicality was measured through a series of tests that evaluated physical movements as well as balance, weight, and capacity to perform everyday physical movements. Of these participants, 13.6% had hearing loss, and researchers found an association between hearing loss and impaired lower extremity function, frailty syndrome, and disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).
- 2015 Study by the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Tampere. Researchers based in Finland examined the link between hearing loss and mobility. This study included 848 people, ages 75-90, who had their hearing and mobility evaluated for two years. Researchers found that people with hearing loss were more than twice as likely to limit their movements compared to people without hearing loss. Reduced mobility looked like going out less, spending less time with others, and limiting overall movement.
These studies reveal that hearing loss affects movement, mobility, and physical engagement. These are often under-recognized symptoms of untreated hearing loss that also impact quality of life.
Impact Hearing Loss has on Overall Mobility
Hearing loss has far-reaching effects on significant aspects of life including physicality. You are likely wondering how hearing loss can result in restricted mobility. Well, hearing loss produces a range of symptoms that strain communication. These can include tinnitus – a ringing or buzzing-like noise in the ears – sounds being muffled or distorted, and difficulty hearing speech in environments with background noise. These symptoms make it challenging to engage in conversations and to communicate effectively, which is essential to navigating everyday life.
Strained communication often results in people with hearing loss avoiding conversations as much as possible. This can include skipping out on social gatherings, participating less in activities, and spending less time with loved ones. Social withdrawal is a major outcome of untreated hearing loss, which also can strains relationships. Extensive research shows that as a result, hearing loss can increase the risk of depressive symptoms like loneliness, isolation, and anxiety. This can result in less overall movement, physical engagement, and participating in hobbies and physical activities, which affects physicality and restricts overall movement.
Treatment Improves Physicality
Treating hearing loss offers life-changing benefits that enable people to live active lives. Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. Hearing instruments are equipped with savvy technology that receives and amplifies speech and sound. absorbs, amplifies, and processes speech as well as sound. This provides the ears and brain with ample support, making it easier to hear. Hearing aids maximize a person’s capacity to hear as well as and can help alleviate hearing loss symptoms. People are better able to participate in conversations and move through all types of environments. Strengthened communication also improves relationships by allowing people to easily spend quality time and engage in seamless conversations. Additionally, treating hearing loss enriches one’s social life by providing the support needed to fully participate in activities and conversations. These benefits alleviate depressive symptoms and boost mental health, wellness, and physicality.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health with Kenwood Hearing Centers
You can commit to your hearing health and access the benefits of treatment by first scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. Hearing evaluations are conducted by a hearing healthcare specialist that can comprehensively assess your hearing capacities in both ears. This identifies your hearing needs and allows us to tailor treatment to meet those needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.