Page 53 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021- Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

Untreated Hearing Loss May Have

Detrimental Effects by Gayle (Wampler) Willson

nce upon a time, a very sweet lady knew she was Treatment frequently replaces withdrawal and depression
struggling with understanding the conversations with optimism, and doubt and concern with confidence.
Oof family and friends. She became frustrated when Patients will notice relationships improve and begin to
attending church and family gatherings because she simply participate in group activities again.
could not understand what the conversations were about.
She began to stay at home, alone. Her family would tell her Hearing devices alone are not the complete answer. It takes
about the fun time and how she was missed. She chose to time with your hearing health professional to get them
stay at home from church, while her friends had fellowship adjusted and best functioning for your lifestyle. We have a
and a meal together after church. She began to think no one staff at Grand Hearing Center who have been serving the
cared about her. She became more and more withdrawn. South Plains area for 45 years. We are willing to work with
you to achieve the best possible solution. Gayle Willson,
Suddenly—her fairy godmother appeared to her, and told BC-HIS (Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences),
her in a kind loving way, how important it is that she have Blair Willson (licensed) and Polly Wampler, also licensed,
her hearing checked, to see if it might help. But, sadly, she and practicing in this area for 45 years are all proud of the
ignored her. Shortly after that, a group of seven little men “Wampler Legacy” and want you to know:
appeared, dwarfs, I believe, and they presented to her a You are our priority. We care about your
coupon, “Free Hearing Screening”, but she said “No!”
She continued in seclusion. After all, hearing aids are hearing needs.
expensive, and overpriced.

A couple of days later, an old man named Jed came
to her in her yard. He was a poor mountaineer, barely
kept his family fed, but then while he was shooting at
some food, he struck oil, and now wants to PAY for her
a brand new set of hearing aids. Long story short, she
now wears two hearing aids, uses blue tooth for her
cell phone and TV and no longer lives in seclusion. As
for Jed, he has worn hearing aids ever since he moved
from the hills to Californy.

Untreated hearing loss is becoming more common,
as baby boomers begin to notice the effects of loud
music from their youth; cars with loud engines, yard
equipment, and gunfire also contribute to the eventual
loss of hearing. When it goes untreated, we see those
individuals become isolated. Feelings of inadequacy
set in, and many times depression is diagnosed.

Evidence of decreased reasoning abilities and
cognition is often observed. When hearing loss goes
untreated, more energy is required from the brain.
Actual studies using an MRI show that brain capacity
can begin to shrink in size. Frank Lin, M.D., PhD,
Johns Hopkins Medical, quoted, “Hearing loss should
not be an inconsequential part of aging because it may
come with some serious long term consequences to
healthy brain function.” 1
But we have not given you the happily ever after to
this fairy tale….
Treating hearing loss has been proven, through
research and in real life situations, to assist in
maintaining mental sharpness and brain function.

1 Sound Thinking, Starkey, Jan 31, 2017 Lubbock Senior Link 53