Research shows that hearing loss leads to cognitive decline, increasing the risk of dementia in the elderly<\/strong>. A recent long-term study followed patients over a 25-year period and found that individuals who wore hearing aids<\/a> had the same levels of cognitive decline as people with normal hearing, while those who went untreated demonstrated significantly lower cognitive function scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Self-Reported Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, and Cognitive Decline in Elderly Adults: A 25-Year Study, 2015, The American Geriatrics Society<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Patients with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss<\/strong>, possibly because high glucose levels, a telltale sign of diabetes, can damage the blood vessels in the inner ear. Even those with prediabetes are 30% more likely to experience hearing loss. Diabetics should have regular hearing checkups, because early detection is key to healthy hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Diabetes and Hearing Loss, 2013, AmericanDiabetesAssociation.com<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Multiple studies have shown a strong link between untreated hearing loss<\/a> and depression, the result of social withdrawal and isolation. 30% of patients with severe hearing loss who do not wear hearing aids report depression<\/strong>, compared with 22% of hearing aid users. Conversely, 42% of hearing aid users regularly participate in social activities versus 32% of nonusers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss in Older Persons, 1999, The National Council on the Aging<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n High blood pressure doesn\u2019t just negatively impact the cardiovascular system; studies show that patients suffering from hypertension also have an increased risk of developing hearing loss and\/or tinnitus. Medications to control blood pressure can also help reduce the impact of hearing loss.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n *Effects of Hypertension on Hearing, 2013, Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n *High blood pressure can lead to hearing loss, 2013, HearIt.org<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Falls are a serious concern for the elderly, and a leading cause of injury and death in those age 65 and older. Individuals with mild hearing loss at 25 decibels are three times as likely to experience a fall<\/strong>; that risk increases 1.4 times for each additional 10 decibels of hearing loss. Researchers theorize this is the result of an increased cognitive burden and lower overall awareness of their surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Hearing loss and falls among older adults in the United States, 2012, Archives of Internal Medicine<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Sleep apnea not only increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes; it also leads to higher risks of hearing loss. One large-scale study showed patients with sleep apnea had a 31% increase in high frequency hearing loss and a 90% increase in low frequency hearing loss. Overall, the risk of developing both high and low frequency hearing loss was 38% higher in sleep apnea patients.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n *<\/em> Sleep Apnea Linked to Sudden Hearing Loss, 2012, The Hearing Journal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n *Sleep apnea can cause hearing loss, 2015, HearIt.org<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Research shows a sizeable correlation between obesity (defined as a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher) and hearing loss, most likely the result of reduced blood flow to the inner ear. Additionally, obesity can lead to a number of other health complications, such as diabetes and hypertension, that also lead to an increased risk of hearing loss. Obese individuals are 27% more likely to develop hearing impairment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Obesity May Be Hard on Your Hearing, 2013, WebMD.com News from HealthDay<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Research studies show a strong correlation between hearing aid use and quality of life<\/a>. Patients who treat their loss with amplification devices report improvements <\/strong>in a number of key areas including relationships at home (60%), feelings about self (57%), mental health (44%), self-confidence (35%), sense of independence (31%) and sense of safety (30%). Positive improvements were also noted in social life, physical health, relationships with children and coworkers, sports abilities, and sex life.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDiabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n
Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n
Hypertension\/Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n
Falls\/Hospitalizations<\/h2>\n\n\n
Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n
Obesity<\/h2>\n\n\n
Hearing Aids and Quality of Life<\/h2>\n\n\n