Your General Health Can be Affected by The Negative Perception of Hearing Loss

Man with hearing loss looks concerned but won't get hearing aids.

Your overall life can be profoundly affected by hearing loss, in a way that goes beyond the inability to hear. Relationships can be stressed and everyday activities can be interrupted by hearing loss.


  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Obesity

Despite the fact that it has a negative impact on their lives, a lot of people who have hearing loss refuse to seek treatment. Lots of people who have hearing loss avoid getting help because they believe that there is a stigma attached to hearing loss, according to researchers. If others find out they suffer from hearing loss, people fear they will be treated differently. It doesn’t make a difference how old they are, this perception can distort the way they see themselves.

It’s Not Just You

Although it can affect people of any age, it is true that as lifespans get longer there are more instances of hearing loss. The World Health Organization reports that there are more than 1.1 billion people, many of them young adults, at risk of hearing loss and the public perception that comes with it. In fact, hearing loss is one of the most common health issues adults deal with. The resistance to getting help persists while the number of people with hearing loss grows. What is the effect on overall health?

What is The Perception of Hearing Loss?

The story is pretty well illustrated by the actual definition of stigma, which is a brand that labels a person as inferior. Lots of people who suffer from hearing loss are concerned they will come across as older than they are, less healthy, or less capable.

Historically, there is some basis for this worry. A 2010 study found people were not as well accepted when they suffered from hearing loss. But the data from this research is nearly 10 years old. As hearing loss is becoming more widespread, this perception is improving. Hearing loss technology is becoming Stylish, fun, and cutting edge. Even celebrities are openly wearing hearing aids. Other health problems relating to aging, like cognitive decline and dementia may be delayed or even prevented by getting treatment, according to research. This is also helping to change the perception. Some people still won’t seek help despite this research.

Does it Even Matter?

Don’t allow your anxiety about negative perception keep you from getting treatment or you might suffer permanent health consequences. People get colonoscopies, according to an AARP study, more often than they get hearing tests. Not getting a hearing exam because you refuse to recognize your hearing loss will impact your health as you get older.

Untreated Hearing Loss, What Are The Consequences?

Not dealing with your hearing loss can have the following health consequences;


Finding it difficult to hear makes pretty much everything in life more difficult. It becomes a difficult task to try to hear conversations and common sounds. Because you can’t hear oncoming traffic or a person walking up behind you, you need to put more energy into keeping safe also. All that extra work you put into day-to-day tasks will lead to chronic fatigue.


You can suffer from headaches and migraines if you have too much anxiety and stress. You might not realize there is a connection, but studies have demonstrated a link between migraines and certain types of hearing loss. The constant extra effort of your brain to make up for sounds you can’t hear can cause your head to ache even if you don’t normally get migraines.

Mental Health

Anxiety and depression are some mental health problems you could also end up facing as a result of untreated hearing loss. Hearing loss can lead to dementia and frequently causes social isolation. These troubles, in turn, often produce physical symptoms such as reduced energy levels or moodiness.

Conquering Negative Perceptions of Hearing Loss

Taking the first step and get help if you want to overcome these negative perceptions. Hearing loss is treatable. Accept that you are the one that suffers if you won’t get help.

You also may be stressing for no reason because not all hearing loss is permanent. Something as simple as earwax buildup could be the reason, but you won’t know for sure unless you schedule an appointment to get a hearing test.

Acknowledging you have hearing loss is not enough, it’s important to do something about it. Nowadays you can get hearing aids in many shapes and sizes. If you don’t want others to know about your hearing loss, then look for devices that are less visible.

Above all, prove them wrong. Put on your hearing aids and let everyone know you are just as active, happy, and engaged as anyone. Everyone who suffers from hearing loss will also be helped by your actions. Negative perceptions are social poisons so be strong and increase awareness to change them.

