The Cost Of
Untreated
Hearing
Loss
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Auditory Deprivation. The hearing system sends signals to the brain, and the brain “learns” to
expect a full range of these signals. People with hearing loss transmit incomplete signals to the
brain, resulting in auditory deprivation. This will eventually cause your brain to forget how to
interpret these sounds, leading to communication problems.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. People with hearing problems are more likely to develop
dementia & Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institute of Aging. For every 10
decibels of hearing loss, the chance of developing severe cognitive problems increased by 20
percent. A study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found a strong link between
untreated hearing loss and the development of dementia.
Depression, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes. Research shows that people with untreated
hearing loss are much more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and isolation. Other
studies indicate a strong relationship between cardiovascular disease & low-frequency hearing
loss. And still other studies indicate a strong link between hearing loss and diabetes. But these
studies also showed that using hearing aids significant improved the quality of the lives and
well-being of those that sought treatment from their hearing loss.
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Personal Consequences
• A decrease in lifetime earnings.
• Tension, irritability, and frustration.
• Feelings of inadequacy.
• Fear of being ridiculed, pitied, or appearing to have low intelligence.
• Social isolation.
• A sense of untimely aging, of being handicapped or abnormal.
• Embarrassment from repeatedly interrupting conversations for clarification, or from not
understanding conversations.
Consequences to Family and Others
• Relationship problems from frequent miscommunication.
• Frustration from regularly interpreting the conversations for the person with hearing loss.
• Feelings of guilt for excluding the person with hearing loss from conversations or activities.
• Feelings of resentment from not being able to engage in preferred activities because a
companion with hearing loss has become too reclusive to share those activities.
• Always distressing about the safety of an individual with hearing loss.
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Untreated hearing loss has been linked to disabling cognitive deficiencies such as dementia,
Alzheimer's disease, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Studies and observational
evidence indicate that untreated hearing loss can damage your physical, emotional, and social
health and well being.
Your family, friends, and others will not escape these changes. In a very real sense they will
share the unwanted consequences of your hearing loss.
The good news is that the worst effects of hearing loss can be moderated with hearing aids,
cochlear implants and post-fitting rehabilitation. When people with mild-to-profound hearing
loss use hearing aids, they experience less depression, less anxiety, and less emotional stress…
while showing significant improvements in their quality of life and well-being.
Given the undesirable consequences of untreated hearing loss, it would be a good idea to get
a hearing exam by a well qualified Audiologist, especially if you suspect that you are
developing hearing problems. Being more safe than sorry has real meaning when the
consequences of inaction are potentially so severe.
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Untreated hearing loss will eventually damage your physical, emotional, and social health
and well-being. The lifestyle changes resulting from untreated hearing loss will also have an
unsettling effect on your relationship with family, friends and others. A growing body of
scientific research indicates that hearing loss can contribute to disabling cognitive and
emotional disorders, like cardiovascular disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Auditory
Deprivation, and depression.
The good news? When people with mild-to-profound hearing loss use hearing aids, they
experience less depression, less anxiety, and less emotional stress… while showing
significant improvements in their quality of life and well-being.
Poorly treated hearing loss can be as damaging as untreated hearing loss. That is why
credentials matter! Education, training, and professional certifications often determine the
effectiveness of treatment.
Dr. Li-Korotky has AuD, PhD, and MD, credentials, and Board certification in Audiology. The
Doctor has 20+ years of clinical and research experience. She is a highly respected research
scientist and clinical expert with more than 100 scientific publications, so she is uniquely
qualified to diagnose, treat, and counsel you on the many variations, causes, and treatments
of hearing disorders.
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We made a friend for life! I had a very complete and informative appointment with Dr. Li.
The staff could not have made us more comfortable. Meeting Dr. Li was awesome. Her
professionalism, her knowledge, and her sweet sense of humor. Thank you very much. T.K.
Dr. Li-Korotky & her staff are the best. I have had nothing but exceptional service since I
switched from another provider. The expertise and experience that Dr. Li has shown is why I
have recommended her to many of my friends. Thank you and your staff! D.L.
“I can hear the sound of crickets”. I cannot imagine a more thorough, more competent or
more caring audiologist than Dr. Li. After getting my hearing aids, I was thrilled.
I could hear many long forgotten sounds …the most amazing thing happened to me. I could
hear the sounds of crickets! D.S.
I had not had an audiology exam in many years. The exam performed by PNW Audiology
exceeded my expectations. The exam process and explanation of results were clear,
straightforward and reasonable. I would not hesitate to recommend PNW Audiology to
anyone having hearing concerns. J.K.