Having to visit the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could reduce your risk of falls, accidents, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also eliminating trips to the ER.
Emerging studies make the case that, for those with serious hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and winding up spending many nights in the emergency room.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had severe loss of hearing. But only 45% of the participants wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
This is on par with comparable studies which have shown that only around 30% of individuals who have hearing aids actually wear them.
12 fewer, of the 585 people who did use their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may seem like a small number. But statistically, this is substantial.
And that’s not all. They also found that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Decreased by Using Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. You would be less likely to require emergency care if you are paying attention to your health.
Other research has revealed that when people with hearing loss use their hearing aids, they stay more connected to family, friends, and the community. When a person is socially connected they are normally more motivated to keep their appointments and also have more help from family and friends getting to the doctor.
For those driving themselves, it means that they will be able to drive more safely with less anxiety about what they’re not hearing.
Additionally, a U.S. study revealed that people with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health problems related to lack of self care is frequently an outcome of depression.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to numerous studies, also decreased by using your hearing aids. The region of the brain that’s used for hearing will begin to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can extend through the brain. As this happens, people often experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among individuals over 65, and the resulting hospital stays last twice as long.
Hearing aids reduce visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many People Avoid?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of looking old is one leading reason why some people don’t wear their hearing aids. 25% of people over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this notion of looking old with hearing aids remains. Hearing loss isn’t unusual. It’s common. And due to the rise in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is increasing with people in their twenties.
Ironically, frequently asking people to repeat what they said often makes a person appear a lot older than they are.
Cost is often mentioned as a worry. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Some people don’t like the way hearing aids sound. This can typically be corrected by simply working with your hearing specialist to find out how to more effectively use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids sometimes need several fittings before they are just right.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.