You At Your Best

If you aren't doing anything about your hearing loss, you could be missing something. Hearing loss affects 1 in 3 adults by age 65. You may be tempted to accept a bit of hearing loss as a normal and unavoidable part of aging, but not taking any action can lead to worse problems. Here are five consequences of ignoring hearing loss: • Social isolation – Are you contributing less to conversations because you aren't sure what other people are saying? It may not seem like a big issue now, but as time goes on you're likely to shy away from social situations more and more. Friends and family may engage you in conversation less often than they used to out of frustration at always having to repeat themselves. Little by little, hearing loss disconnects you from your loved ones and the world around you. • Depression – Over time, this decline in social engagement can lead to feelings of depression. A drop in social activity due to chronic health issues such as hearing loss is a contributing factor in depression among seniors. According to a study by the National Council on Aging, older adults who have untreated hearing loss are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than those who seek treatment. • Cognitive decline – A study published in 2013 in JAMA Internal Medicine found an alarming link between hearing loss and poor cognitive health. After studying nearly 2,000 older adults, researchers found that participants with hearing loss were 24 percent more likely to experience "accelerated cognitive decline" compared to those with healthy hearing. According to the study, the worse a person's hearing loss was, the more cognitive impairment he or she tended to have. • Physical harm – When one of your senses isn't functioning properly, you can't gauge your surroundings as well as you should. This can leave you vulnerable to injury in hazardous settings, such as busy pedestrian crossings. Hearing loss may also increase the likelihood of falling and fall-related injuries, according to a 2012 Johns Hopkins University study. • Slowed financial growth – As unlikely as it sounds, research shows working adults with unaddressed hearing loss may end up making less money. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, a person's degree of hearing loss tends to correspond with a reduction in pay. If your hearing loss is interfering with your job responsibilities, you might be less likely to receive that long-sought-after promotion. If you're concerned about hearing loss, the providers at Northwest Physicians are here to help. Our skilled team can provide screenings and tests to determine the extent of your hearing loss. They can even refer you to a specialist if needed. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit NW-Physicians.com or call 833- 757-WELL (9355) today. Do I have a hearing problem? Because hearing loss is often gradual, you may not realize you have it. If you're age 65 or older, you should have your hearing checked periodically as a preventive measure. The following questions, from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, can help you determine if you need to see a hearing specialist for an evaluation: • Do you have trouble understanding conversations when more than one person is talking? • Do people complain the volume is too loud when you're watching television? • Are you frequently asking people to repeat themselves? • Does it sound like most people mumble when they talk? • Is it particularly difficult for you to understand women and children? • Do you have to strain to hear people when there's noise in the background? About Northwest Physicians Northwest Physicians, an affiliate of Northwest Health, includes a team of skilled and compassionate physicians, advanced practice providers and support staff from a variety of specialties dedicated to a common purpose — to provide patients with expert medical care that's easy to access. With more than 30 locations throughout Northwest Arkansas, and online scheduling with many providers, it's easier than ever to connect with a Northwest physician. Extended hours and online check-in are both provided at the organization's urgent care centers. For more information, visit NW-Physicians.com. About Northwest Health Northwest Health is the largest health system in Northwest Arkansas with five hospitals: Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center – Springdale, Northwest Medical Center – Willow Creek Women's Hospital, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and Northwest Health Physicians' Specialty Hospital. The system has 487 beds, a combined medical staff of more than 900 physicians and more than 2,400 employees working together to provide quality healthcare for the region. The system also includes Northwest Health Emergency Department Fayetteville, a 24/7 standalone emergency department with advanced technology. reasons not to ignore HEARING LOSS WWW.NORTHWESTHEALTH.COM SPONSOR CONTENT 5 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | YOUATYOURBEST.NWAONLINE.COM SEPTEMBER - THE 5 SENSES | SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021

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