As you grow older, it’s important to stay positive about hearing loss. Why? Because negative feelings – about aging, about health – can affect your hearing, says a recent article on Medicine News Today. Hearing and brain function go hand in hand. When one is affected, so is the other.
“People’s feelings about getting older influence their sensory and cognitive functions. Those feelings are often rooted in stereotypes about getting older and comments made by those around them that their hearing and memory are failing.” If negative feelings about growing older can influence how one hears in day-to-day life (and vice versa), it makes sense that a good attitude could have the opposite effect.
Why is that?
Because the clearer your thoughts – the more honest you are about your situation – the more likely you’ll take the proper steps to help your hearing.
What should you do?
When there is so much social stigma attached to aging, how can one maintain an optimistic view of the future?
- Don’t jump to the worst possible conclusions. Hearing loss is often a normal part of the aging process, and there has never been a better time than the present to optimize hearing function. Today’s sophisticated technology offers efficient and effective solutions to once problematic hearing difficulties. If you notice trouble hearing sound in noise, meet with an audiologist to discuss a plan.
- Eat healthily and try to maintain a healthy weight. Physical fitness is a big part of keeping your mind sharp.
- Realize that advances in hearing technology are always being made. Take the Oticon More™ hearing aid, for example. The More line comes with a deep neural network that learns and evolves over time.
- Socialize! Socialization is important! If you’re having trouble hearing or feeling down for any reason, don’t lock yourself away. Keep on talking to people, interacting with them. Isolation is the worst thing for your brain.
Keeping your mind occupied and your thoughts positive is a worthwhile, important, and attainable goal. The potential benefits can help make your future even brighter.