Living with hearing loss may affect more than your ability to hear. It could impact you in various forms such as:
You can learn more in detail about each consequence below.
When you have difficulty hearing what’s going on around you, your mental sharpness and processing speed may decrease. Some researchers think this could be linked to a reduction of stimulation to the brain, which may impair its ability to process sound and recognise speech.
How’s your hearing?
Take our online hearing test2 to get an indication of how well you hear.
Online hearing test
A report published by the Lancet Commission in 2020 suggests that hearing loss is a significant modifiable risk factor against dementia. In fact, moderate hearing impairment can increase one’s dementia risk 3-fold1. Hearing loss could lead to lowered mental stimulation and isolation. It is thought, managing hearing loss may help protect against cognitive decline by keeping the brain actively engaged in everyday life.
Learn more about the link between hearing loss and dementia:
Complete the steps below. Use the form below or quote the 'Audika' website when booking your appointment. All fields required.
Your answers indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. We strongly recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your answers indicate that you experience some symptoms of hearing loss. We recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Your answers do not indicate that you experience symptoms of hearing loss. However, if you experience trouble hearing, we recommend booking a hearing test in one of our clinics.
The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.
Do you find it hard to remember what you’ve just heard? It can be difficult to comprehend and remember what’s being said when it’s a struggle to hear it in the first place.
This is because the extra cognitive resources required to listen may reduce the resources available for memory and comprehension.
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As your hearing worsens, it may become more challenging to follow everyday conversations. You may need to ask people to repeat themselves frequently, or you might sit closer to people so that you can read their lips or watch their facial expressions in order to understand conversations.
You may even nod and pretend to understand what is being said. Jokes aren't as funny if you miss the punchline.
Sensorineural hearing loss
You may find it harder to keep in touch with your circle of friends when you have difficulty hearing. It may be particularly noticeable in certain settings, such as larger gatherings or dinner parties.
As a result, you may find yourself withdrawing from certain social events or declining invitations.
Treatment of hearing loss
As your hearing ability declines, you may find it difficult to decipher and locate sounds around you. This may lead you to feel more insecure about your surroundings.
When it’s difficult to hear, communication can be exhausting. This is because you must dig deeper into your cognitive reserves to understand.
This can be particularly taxing at social events, in restaurants or in crowds where you may need to concentrate even harder to decipher what people say to you.
1. The Lancet Commissions| Volume 396, ISSUE 10248, P413-446, August 08, 2020 - Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission.
2. Results provide a preliminary indication only and do not replace a full hearing test.
