The holiday season is fast approaching and that means more social activities and time spent with friends and family. But, for those people who have an untreated hearing loss, these social gatherings may be stressful. It can be really difficult, and isolating, to be in a social situation when you can’t hear what is being said around you.

Unfortunately, if you’ve been putting off getting hearing aids or know someone who has, you’re not alone. It takes most people upwards of seven to ten years to finally get help for their hearing loss. That’s a lot of missed family gatherings and social events, or at least not enjoyed as much as you could have.

But, if you have untreated hearing loss, missing out on social activities is only the beginning. Research shows you are also at risk for other serious issues due to not being able to hear such as depression, isolation, fatigue, and an increased chance of developing dementia.

The holiday season is quickly approaching. It’s a time of celebration and time spent with friends and family. Don’t miss out again this year. There’s still plenty of time to address your hearing issues before the holiday season.   Many hearing offices offer free trials over holiday season since it is a great opportunity to show how the newer models of hearing aids help to focus on speech and reduce background noises.

It is important to visit a hearing professional you are comfortable with and can trust as some “free” trials turn out to not be so free, or there can be a lot of pressure to keep hearing aids that you may not be terribly pleased with. We also recommend trying at least a couple of models as they are not all the same, and they are certainly not one size fits all.