Hearing health impacts every part of a person’s life. It allows us to stay independent, feel confident, keep up with the world, and maintain a good quality of life.

While hearing loss can happen gradually, it’s important to see an audiologist as soon as you’ve noticed it isn’t as clear as it used to be.

What could happen if I don’t treat my hearing loss?

When you lose your hearing, your brain has to work harder to keep up with the world around you, often without you realising it. That extra effort can lead to accelerated cognitive decline, social isolation, increased risk of falling, and leave you feeling mentally exhausted.  

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that even cases of mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia (read more about the hearing loss and dementia link). The good news is that studies from the Lancet Report show hearing loss is the single most modifiable risk factor for dementia, meaning taking care of your hearing health is just one of the ways you can support your long-term wellbeing.

What can I do if I have hearing loss?

If you’ve noticed you’re struggling to hear as well as you used to, we recommend seeing an audiologist as soon as possible.  

Ear360 is a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond the sounds you can hear and explores how your hearing impacts other areas of your life, such as sleep, balance, tinnitus and cognitive function. Having a complete picture of your hearing health lets us be proactive and talk about what support might help you now and in the future.

If you’re asking yourself whether is it ever too late to start treatment, the short answer is no, it’s worth taking that first step at any age. You can also browse our Hearing Health hub for more on looking after your hearing health.