Which of the following is a common consequence of untreated hearing loss?

Untreated hearing loss can significantly impact various aspects of an individual's life, with cognitive decline being one of the most notable consequences. Research has shown that when a person struggles to hear, they might withdraw from social interactions and activities, which can lead to feelings of isolation and depression over time. This social disengagement can have a cascading effect on mental health, leading to cognitive decline as the brain receives less stimulation from auditory experiences and social communications.

Additionally, hearing loss may impose extra cognitive load as individuals may strain to understand speech and sounds, thereby reducing their cognitive resources for other tasks. Over time, this stress can contribute to quicker mental fatigue, and without proper auditory input, the neural pathways responsible for processing sound may weaken, resulting in a decline in cognitive abilities. Thus, recognizing and addressing hearing loss promptly is crucial for maintaining both social engagement and cognitive health.