Most people understand that leading a sedentary lifestyle and smoking is bad for them. But what most people probably don’t know is that there is some convincing research that indicates a link between premature death and neglected hearing loss.
Personal life expectancy varies widely, of course. Access to healthcare, where you live, type of work, gender, and access to healthy food can all be factors in this variance. But individuals who deal with neglected hearing loss appear to die earlier even when you take these differences into account.
Studies Connecting Premature Death to Hearing Loss
Norwegian scientists looked at the health data from more than 50,000 individuals over a two-year period. The cases of death for all the people were cross-referenced with the data. Whatever the cause, premature death could be connected to untreated hearing loss.
Other research reveals that even moderate hearing loss is linked to a 21% greater morbidity rate and that there’s an increased danger of cardiovascular death for those who have hearing loss, particularly if they live alone.
Clarifying The Link
For scientists, just because they discover a connection doesn’t mean that a causality is solidly demonstrated. Determining what precisely the connection is will normally be the first thing they will attempt to do. How are the two really related?
In this same research it was reported that there was an increased risk in women with no children and men and women who are divorced. This suggests that social life has an effect on longevity.
Earlier studies support this presumption. Data from over half a million people was analyzed in a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology. It revealed that social seclusion raises the risk of early death considerably.
How is Longevity Increased by Social Stability?
Not unlike a pack of wolves or a herd of elephants in the wild, social connections offer several life-extending benefits to humans:
- Improved diet and health… Socially connected people usually have greater access to healthy food and can get to doctor’s appointments.
- Mental stimulation… You’re sharing, joking and conversing with others.
- Physical stimulation… If you have people around you, you’re more likely to get physical exercise.
- Motivation… Having people around can encourage a person to get up in the morning, do new things and look forward to their day.
- Support… A person with a strong social group is more likely to ask for help if they need it (instead of trying to do something dangerous by themselves).
- Safety… When there are more people around, there’s a higher risk you’ll get medical attention right away if you need it.
What is it about untreated hearing loss that causes all of this?
Decreased Longevity And Social Isolation Can be The Consequence of Untreated Hearing Loss
You most likely have a very close relationship with your loved ones. It’s difficult to imagine how hearing loss may change that.
Have you ever been with a group of people you don’t know, who were ignoring you while chatting with each other? You likely felt very lonely. You can start to feel like this with neglected hearing loss. It’s not that people are ignoring you. It seems as if you’re being ignored because people are beginning to have a tough time having a conversation with you.
From your perspective, you frequently feel out of the loop because you lose parts of the conversation. Physical and emotional withdrawal, even at family events, can be the result. Going out with friends to a restaurant and participating in a social club, event or hobby loses its enjoyment. You may find that you merely avoid these kinds of interactions. In addition, many people experiencing worsening hearing loss have:
- Mental exhaustion
Social connections become even more stressful because of these.
The Norwegian scientists offer a silver lining in their research, however. After analyzing their research, they came to an important conclusion. Investing in hearing aids can eliminate the link between premature death and hearing loss.
You will remain healthier, more active and social if you use hearing aids and that can give you longevity.
This fact can be reinforced by similar studies. One such study was conducted by the American Academy of Audiology. That study revealed that wearing hearing aids consistently had the following benefits:
- Stronger relationships with family
- More independence
- Enhanced social life outside the home
Early Death Linked to Neglected Hearing Loss
Premature death and hearing loss have a complex connection. But when we combine the abundance of data, an entire picture appears. The effect of hearing loss on relationships, health, and finances is unveiled. So it’s easy to see why the premature demise link exists.
It’s also clear that having your hearing loss treated can counter the impact of hearing loss on every aspect of life. You will live a longer, healthier and socially active life.