What are possible consequences of untreated age-related hearing loss?

Hearing loss in older adults can:

  • Cause problems with receiving and understanding important information, such as financial, health, and legal information.
  • Limit the person’s interaction with family, friends, and agencies. This can result in loneliness, isolation, and depression.
  • Cause the person to avoid important meetings, such as medical follow-ups, because of embarrassment over the hearing problem.
  • Pose a safety risk if the hearing loss is severe enough. For instance, car horns or smoke alarms can't be heard and this can even increase the risk of falls and other accidents.
  • Recent studies have shown that age-related hearing loss is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, including memory loss and dementia.
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