Since 1947, Southwestern Hearing Centers has been a family owned and operated full service hearing care provider, dedicated to helping the community. With over 40 offices staffed by professional audiologists and/or hearing instrument specialists, we have been helping people enjoy life by offering high-quality hearing instruments and hearing services. As the oldest hearing instrument dispenser in the state of Missouri, our great reputation for excellence makes us the #1 independent hearing care provider in the USA.
Depression has been associated to the loss of hearing and sadly, the association between functional hearing and depression often go unrecognized by many health care professionals, which is problematic as untreated hearing loss can cause serious issues in the future. Those who are hard of hearing, usually find communication difficult, which can lead to social isolation and stress. The relationship between hearing and happiness boils down to the loss of social interaction, which is a very good indication that someone may be depressed, especially in older adults. Sadly, there are many effects of the loss of hearing that match the symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms persist amongst those with hearing loss regardless of their use of hearing aids.
According to new research, doctors are becoming much more aware of and are better at spotting symptoms of depression in those who have a loss of hearing. On the bright side, people with hearing problems are starting to get more noticed with the correlation of hearing loss and depression and are getting treatment for their illness. This is significantly helping individuals cope and allowing them to have more of an emotional grip, which is helping them ease into the social interaction that they once had again.
Furthermore, individuals with severe hearing loss that are coping with loss can experience an improvement in their quality of life once again as it is possible to minimize the risk of depression related to hearing loss if it is caught in the early stages. It is important as a health care professional or as a family member/peer to notice the symptoms and signs of someone who may be mildly or excessively depressed.
Those who are hard of hearing may experience depressive symptoms such as:
Loss of interest or pleasure
A loss of appetite
Loss of independence
Decreased mood, loss of interest and enjoyment
Sadness, feelings of loss and hopelessness
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
Irritability and loss of interest in hobbies
When it comes to the effect of functional hearing and the degrees of hearing loss, there are typically four clinically branded degrees. The first degree is mild, which is where an individual would hear some speech noises but will typically have trouble with hearing any type of soft sound. Secondly, there is moderate hearing loss, where a person would fight to hear or understand speech when someone is speaking at a normal level. On the right side of the spectrum, it becomes more severe, where an individual would hear little-to-no speech when spoken to at normal levels and would typically only hear some loud sounds. Lastly, is the worst-case scenario, which is profound hearing loss, this is where an individual would only hear very loud sounds and would not hear any speech at all.
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Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This is the most common hearing loss. This occurs when the inner ear nerves and hair cells are damaged. This usually occurs due to noise damage, aging, injury, meningitis, diabetes, heredity, smoking or hypertension. This type of hearing loss impacts the pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Unfortunately, this type of hearing loss cannot be corrected medically or surgically but can be helped with the use of hearing aids
Conductive Hearing Loss: This occurs when there is a result of obstructions in the outer or middle ear, which is commonly triggered by infections of the ear canal, wax buildup, dislocation of the middle ear bones, foreign object in the canal, abnormal growths or tumors, or otosclerosis. This type of hearing loss prevents sound from getting into the inner ear. Fortunately, this can often be treated with medicine or surgically
Mixed Hearing Loss: This is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Which again could be caused by aging, illness, infections, injuries, exposure to loud noises, earwax buildup, accidents, or malformation of the middle ears.
The degree of speech-frequency hearing loss is case dependent to people
Protecting your ears and the environment:
It is utterly important to protect your ears in many situations or take precautions to avoid them being exposed to unnecessary noise that could potentially damage them. Unfortunately, some scenarios are not exactly avoidable when it comes to protecting your ears, but it is important to take note of the most common situations that should be taken cautiously. These situations are environments that you find yourself shouting to make yourself heard over noise in the background, a place that the noise makes your ears ring, or makes them hurt. And lastly, one of the most important ones is live music, where concerts or festivals have very high sound levels which can make it extremely difficult to hear during or for several hours afterwards.
Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues in the world.
Nearly one in five Americans age 12 and older experience hearing loss severe enough to interfere with daily communication. There are many different causes of hearing loss, but there are only 2 types of hearing loss: Conductive and Sensorineural.
Conductive hearing loss happens when sounds cannot get through the outer and middle ear. It may be hard to hear soft sounds. Louder sounds may be muffled. It usually involves some type of obstruction in the ear.
Ear wax buildup
Foreign object in the ear canal
Infections in the ear canal or middle ear
Perforation or scarring of the eardrum
Abnormal tumors or growths
Hearing loss risk factors
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. This is usually age related. This type of hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear or the hearing nerve. It is usually permanent but can be treatable through amplifications through hearing aids. Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:
Aging
Exposure to excessive or loud noise
Ototoxic medications
Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)
Acoustic tumors
Hearing loss can be hereditary or just be a part of the natural aging process. It can be triggered by loud noises, infections, medications, or trauma to the head. Many people put off getting help for their hearing loss because they think it’s insignificant. Instead they just continue to ask others to repeat or turn up the volume on the TV even louder.
Effects Of Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing loss isn’t just an ear issue: it’s a quality of life and health issue. Untreated hearing loss can have serious and wide-ranging consequences. It has been linked to impaired memory, balance issues, and dementia. Growing evidence indicates that older adults with hearing loss are more likely to experience the symptoms of cognitive decline. This is highly concerning to us. As the baby boomer generation reaches age 65, the number of people suffering from dementia is expected to triple.
Further research has found that hearing aids can help! Hearing aids can improve the negative effects of hearing loss on the brain. When you get hearing aids, you’re giving your ears back what they’ve been missing. You are giving your brain what it needs to make sense of what you are hearing. Hearing aids process sound signals so it’s easier for your brain to understand them. They also reduce the cognitive load, making it easier for your brain to perform other tasks.
A Johns Hopkins study found that cognitive diminishment was 41% greater in seniors with hearing loss.
“In a 2011 study focusing on dementia, Lin and his colleagues monitored the cognitive health of 639 people who were mentally sharp when the study began. The researchers tested the volunteers’ mental abilities regularly, following most for about 12 years, and some for as long as 18 years. The results were striking: The worse the initial hearing loss was, the more likely the person was to develop dementia. Compared with people with normal hearing, those with moderate hearing loss had triple the risk.”
It seems very likely that social isolation also plays a part in an increased risk of dementia. Being hard of hearing tends to isolate people from others: When you have to struggle to converse, you’re less likely to want to socialize in groups or go out to restaurants. And being socially isolated has long been recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.
Most people wait 7-10 years to address their hearing loss, but by then their hearing loss is worse and has contributed to other health problems i.e.: Dementia, depression, isolation, balance issues & fatigue.
HEARING LOSS EFFECTS 36 MILLION ADULTS IN AMERICA
It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or status. The number of reasons for hearing loss are endless. One thing many people who suffer from hearing loss have in common is that they don’t like to admit they have a problem, so they put off getting help for many years. People wait on average about 7 years before accepting that they have a hearing loss. That is 7 years of missing certain sounds, words, and experiences coupled with a reduced quality of life. When they finally do seek help their hearing has deteriorated even further and in some cases too far for appropriate help.
People who cannot hear well often experience anxiety, insecurity, isolation, and depression. This eventually causes them to gradually withdraw from social situations altogether. With any level of hearing loss, a person is missing certain sounds which means that their hearing nerve and the part of the brain that processes sounds are not being stimulated, which can lead to a decrease in the ability to recognize speech.
The good news is hearing aids can help you! If you want to take care of your hearing, make sure to wear ear protection during potentially loud activities such as concerts or sporting events. Exposure to noise for even 10 minutes can cause permanent hearing loss. Don’t wait, call us today! Hearing instruments can improve 90-95 percent of hearing loss cases. Sadly, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. We want to change this statistic because everyone deserves to hear.
18% OF ADULTS AGE 45-64
30% OF ADULTS 65-74
47% OF ADULTS 75+
Natural aging – as you grow older, your inner ear changes. These changes can cause hearing loss.
Exposure to loud noises – sounds played at a harmful volume can damage hearing permanently.
Medications – certain medications are ototoxic and can permanently hurt your hearing.
Infections – chronic ear infections or serious illnesses can both lead to hearing loss.
Head or ear trauma – a traumatic injury outside the ear can affect the inside, too.
Congenital or hereditary factors – your genes can factor into whether or not you’ll lose your hearing.
Disease – conditions like Meniere’s Disease can cause hearing loss.
You don't have to struggle in silence
So much depends on sound. Your career. Your responsibilities. Your relationships. It’s your connection to world, and losing it is devastating. The thing about hearing loss is that it’s invisible and only you can make the decision to do something about it. Read on to learn more about hearing loss, if you believe you’re experiencing these symptoms, let us help you.
Call (844) 899-6085 to set up your free hearing exam.
What to expect when the noises fade
Sound is special. It has the power to thrill us, to soothe us, to captivate us. The symptoms of hearing loss often appear gradually and can be difficult to detect on your own. Family members and caregivers are usually the first to recognize a problem, but losing the ability to hear can be difficult to accept. It’s a life-changing event, one that can be hard to understand if it’s not happening to you. If someone in your life is suffering from hearing loss, be supportive and learn about his or her condition.
Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
Turning up the volume on the TV and radio to levels that are uncomfortable for others.
You don’t always hear the doorbell or telephone ring.
You can hear people speak, but struggle to understand the words they are saying.
It feels like others are always mumbling.
Understanding conversation in groups or with background noise is difficult.
You hear a buzzing or ringing noise in your ears.
Signs someone you know has hearing loss
They frequently ask you to repeat.
The volume they watch TV at is uncomfortable for others.
They frequently miss the doorbell or telephone ringing.
They blame their inability to understand you because of mumbling.
You’ve noticed they withdraw or isolate themselves, so they don’t have to struggle to hear.
They have stopped doing things they once loved, like going to church or the movies.
ARE YOU FEELING CONFUSED?
Hearing loss can affect your memory. It can cause cognitive abilities to decline 30 to 40 percent faster than normal again.
ARE YOU FEELING TIRED?
Losing your hearing is exhausting. You have to try twice as hard as someone with normal hearing just to have a simple conversation. It’s not uncommon for people with untreated hearing loss to feel tired.
ARE YOU FEELING OFF-BALANCED?
When you can’t hear well, you’re less aware of your surroundings. So, people with hearing loss have a tendency to fall down more.
ARE YOU FEELING OVERWHELMED?
People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss. High glucose levels can damage nerves in the inner ear.
ARE YOU FEELING SICK?
A healthy heart helps your ears stay healthy too. People who have heart disease have a 54 percent greater chance of suffering from hearing loss.
ARE YOU FEELING OVERWEIGHT?
Obesity can cause countless health problems. Hearing loss is one of them. Walking at least two hours a week can reduce the risk.
ARE YOU FEELING ADDICTED?
You’re heard that smoking causes lung cancer. But did you know it causes hearing loss too? Chemicals in cigarettes prevents your inner ear from transmitting vibrations.
Today’s hearing aids do so much more than just help you to hear better, they are a mini-computer for your ears. Circa AI is not only our best sounding hearing aid ever, it’s the world’s first hearing aid that monitors brain and body activity and provides convenient features that can help simplify your life.
Hearing aids connect you to the ever-changing world around you, allowing you to do the things you love to do with the people you love to do them with. Today’s hearing aids are called healthables and help you to live a more fulfilled life. You can enjoy the sense of freedom that you get with our hearing aids. They can detect falls and alert your loved ones, monitor your heart rate, remind you to take your medication, translate over 27 languages in real-time, and of course deliver superior sound quality.
You no longer have to worry about going out to social situations and getting frustrated because you can’t hear. You won’t have to ask others to repeat because our hearing aids will amplify the sounds you want to hear while reducing background noise. With our hearing aids, we encourage you to go to dinner with friends in noisy restaurants or go to the local bar to hear your favorite band rock out. It’s time to take charge of your hearing health!
Hearing aids have been proven to slow down cognitive decline and decrease your risk of dementia. A growing body of evidence points to a strong connection between hearing health and overall health. People who treat their hearing loss not only hear better, they lower their risk for serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia.
Some other benefits of hearing aids can be a more positive outlook and more satisfying relationships. You may experience a reduction in anxiety and gain more confidence in public situations. Treating your hearing loss has many benefits and will allow you to enjoy life.
Benefits of wearing hearing aids may include:
Reduced mental fatigue
Decreased feelings of isolation and depression
Improved ability to do several things at once
Improved memory, attention and focus
Improved communication skills
Hearing loss is not only frustrating for those who have it but also for their loved ones. When you can’t hear sounds around you it can have a negative impact on your health. Understanding how your body works and its connections can help you to prevent hearing loss. Early identification and treatment of a potential hearing loss helps to minimize risks later in life.
Studies have shown that when a person has a hearing loss, their brain changes and increases the risk for dementia. When the hearing section of the brain grows inactive, it results in tissue loss and changes in the brain structure. The brain begins to atrophy more quickly than someone with normal hearing.
According to several major studies done throughout the years, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, compare to those with normal hearing. Unfortunately the risk increases as a person’s hearing loss worsens.
Hearing loss has been studied throughout the years and many health connections have been made. Hearing loss has been linked to Dementia, Cognitive decline, heart disease, sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes.
The good news is that hearing aids can help! Numerous studies have shown that hearing aids not only improve a person’s hearing – they also help preserve a person’s independence, mental abilities, and emotional and physical health. Keeping your brain active allows you to remain active.
Your ears need special care in order to allow you to hear your best! You should have your ears checked regularly by a hearing care specialist to stay on top of your hearing health. Hearing loss is typically gradual and age-related. However, the only preventable kind of hearing loss is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss or NIHL. Although you may adjust to the loud sounds over time, unfortunately, your ears and brain will not. By the time you notice your hearing loss, it is often already too late to prevent damage to your ears. The sounds around us connect us to other people, memories, and activities we enjoy. Our hearing is a precious commodity that enhances our life and learning experiences. To enjoy all the sounds of your life, properly caring for your ears is the best way to prevent hearing loss and protect all that your hearing does for you.
Noise can be harmful if you are exposed to it for an extended period of time or if it is a very loud impact noise that is short in duration.
Firefighters, police officers, factory workers, military personnel, musicians and construction workers are most at risk for hearing loss in the workplace. Always be aware and alert to potentially noisy occupational or recreational activities.
It is important to follow some basic rules to protect your hearing and prevent hearing loss.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) can be prevented if you remember to:
Turn it down
Walk away
Protect your ears
More specifically, you can:
Limit your amount of time that you are exposed to noise
Wear hearing protection (foam earplugs, ear muffs, custom hearing protection)
Turn down the volume of your radio, MP3 player, television, etc.
Avoid medications that may be harmful to your hearing
Signs that your environment may be too loud:
You have difficulty hearing someone who is within three feet of you
You have pain in your ears, ringing or buzzing (tinnitus), and/or difficulty understanding speech after being in a loud setting
Remember only you can protect your hearing and prevent any kind of hearing loss!
( https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17053-hearing-loss-prevention)
Ever-increasing evidence shows treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids can improve or limit some serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that treating hearing loss is the single greatest change a person can make to lower their risk for dementia.
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Here are some simple but very effective ways to protect your ears.
Avoid harmful noise
If you are going to a concert make sure to wear ear protection. Wear proper ear protection when firing guns or near people who are.
Get your hearing checked regularly
Stay on top of your hearing health. If you notice that you aren’t hearing as well as you were, give us a call or visit any one of our Southwestern Hearing Centers locations for a free screening.
Control ear wax
Ear wax helps to keep our ears protected and moisturized. However if you produce too much wax, it can become impacted and prevent sound from entering the ear. This is one of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss. Luckily this type of hearing loss is usually temporary. If impacted ear wax is left untreated, it may lead to more permanent hearing loss.
Reduce stress
Excessive stress can cripple your mental and physical health. Make sure to keep stress levels low by practicing stress relief techniques such as meditation and relaxation. The development of hypertension can result from significant long-term stress, which is another condition linked to hearing loss and tinnitus. Hypertension has been shown to accelerate age-related hearing loss.
Watch your diet
Your diet plays a crucial role in both your health and the way you hear. Make sure to choose healthy choices over fast food or processed junk.
Nix the nicotine
Smokers have a 15% increased risk to have hearing loss than non-smokers. The chemicals found in cigarettes affect the way your ears process sound.
Minimize pain reliever use
Overuse of pain relievers can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. These types of medication are classified as ototoxic, which means that over time they poison your ears.
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