The Hidden Cost of Undiagnosed Hearing Loss

Ignoring hearing loss doesn’t just affect what you hear — it impacts your health, safety, and finances. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Michaelides, Dr. Dawn Heiman, and Lindsey Doherty reveal the hidden costs of untreated hearing loss, explaining how a simple hearing test can make all the difference.

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The True Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss

Untreated hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline, social isolation, depression, and even increased fall risk. As Dr. Heiman notes, “You’re more likely to fall if you have an untreated hearing loss.” The hosts explain that missed sounds can mean missed cues — from conversations and warning signals to environmental changes that help maintain balance and safety.

The financial impact is also significant. Medical appointments, therapy, and assistive care often follow years of avoidance, adding thousands in long-term costs that could have been prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Health

Hearing is directly tied to brain function. As Dr. Michaelides points out, untreated hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline, sometimes mistaken for dementia. Regular hearing screenings, especially for adults over 40, can help identify and slow these changes before they become permanent.

Breaking the Stigma Around Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids are smaller, smarter, and more effective than ever before. Unlike older models that amplified all sounds, today’s devices target only the frequencies you’re missing — helping you reconnect socially and professionally without frustration or feedback noise.

Take the First Step: Get a Hearing Test

Whether you’re an active professional or a retiree, hearing screenings are fast, painless, and often covered by insurance. Advanced Audiology Consultants even offers Free Screening Fridays, making it easier than ever to check your hearing health.

If you or a loved one have been avoiding a test, start today — because knowledge is power, and prevention costs far less than regret.

To see the video edition of this episode with closed captioning, please go to 👉 Hearing Wellness Journey Podcast