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Hearing wellness update: The hidden costs of untreated hearing loss 

Treating hearing loss is a life journey.  The average person waits an average of seven years after first noticing hearing difficulties before seeking treatment for hearing loss.  This delay in seeking treatment can lead to negative impacts on quality of life, employment, education, and mental health. 


Untreated hearing loss linked to depression and social isolation in seniors:  https://www.audiology.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Untreated-Hearing-Loss-Linked-to-Depression-Social-Isolation-in-Seniors.pdf

Information about hearing loss in the workplace: https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-in-the-workplace


Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment

The correlation between hearing and cognitive decline is an active area of research.  Dr. Frank Lin’s research at Johns Hopkins University has been particularly groundbreaking in this area, finding that:

  • Mild hearing loss doubles dementia risk 
  • Moderate hearing loss triples dementia risk
  • Severe hearing losses increased dementia risk by five times

The good news is that hearing loss in our mid to late life periods is identified as the single-largest potential modifiable risk factor for dementia.  Recent studies suggest that hearing aid may alter the cognitive trajectory in older adults to optimize hearing and cognitive well-being.  Early intervention of hearing loss can:



  • Reduce the cognitive load of processing degraded sound
  • Provide increased brain stimulation
  • Improve social engagement
A man is getting a hearing aid put in his ear.

Academic Articles on the use of hearing aids and cognitive health 

Longitudinal Relationship Between Hearing Aid Use and Cognitive Function in Older Americans https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15363

Full-text pdf or the article is available here: https://www.cognivue.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Longitudinal-Relationship-Between-Hearing-Aid-Use-and-Cognitive-Function-in-Older-Americans.pdf


Longitudinal associations between hearing aid usage and cognition in community-dwelling Japanese older adults with moderate hearing loss https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8513843/

Recommended Books

Coping with hearing loss: 

Author Gael Hannen:  The Way I Hear it! https://www.gaelhannan.com/book/ 

Authors Gael Hannen and Shari Eberts: Hear & Beyond: Living Skillfully with hearing loss https://livingwithhearingloss.com/hearandbeyond/


For musicians concerned about their hearing: 

Dr. Marshall Chasin: Hear the Music: Hearing Loss Prevention for Musicians https://www.amazon.ca/Hear-Music-Hearing-Prevention-Musicians/dp/0920445748 


For individuals living with Tinnitus: 

Dr. Richard Tyler:  The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus https://www.amazon.ca/Consumer-Handbook-Tinnitus-Richard-Tyler/dp/0966182677 

Audiologist J.L. Mayes:  Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook: Second Edition: Mayes, Jan L.: 9781775270546: Books - Amazon.ca

Useful Apps

Speech to Text apps for in-person interaction:

To enhance communication, several apps have been created to caption speech on a screen for people who rely on visual cues especially due to mask-wearing and communication through plexiglass or background noises!  A lack of visual cues makes communication more challenging, particularly with a person who has a hearing loss.


We are always on the look-out for innovative technology; here are the best apps we have found for speech to text functions:

A microphone is sitting on top of a piece of paper on a green background.
A blue app icon with a white wave on it

For IOS users: NAL Scribe

A green logo with a phone and a globe on it.

Speech to text app for all cellphone use: 

Phonak myCall-to-text app is designed to support Hard of hearing and Deaf people on their cell phone.  It is free when both parties have downloaded the app which will supply a live transcription of the mobile conversation.  There is a monthly charge otherwise for the ability to call anyone.  This app can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store. 

Live Captions for Iphone (iOS 16 and above):

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/iphone/iphe0990f7bb/ios#:~:text=With%20Live%20Captions%20(beta)%2C,in%20live%20conversations%20around%20you)

Live Captions for  select Google Pixel phones:

Translate speech to text with Live Caption - Android Accessibility Help (google.com)


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