Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen your chances of falls, accidents, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also eliminating visits to the ER.
Emerging research makes the case that, for people with severe hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and ending up spending many evenings in the emergency room.
The Research
This University of Michigan study assembled participants which ranged from 65-85. Each had extreme hearing loss. But only 45% of the participants wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also found that hearing aids were worn regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
Of the 585 individuals in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people found themselves in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may seem like a moderate number. But it’s statistically significant.
And there’s more. They also found that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which probably decreased their time in ER.
How Might Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
The first one is obvious. You would be less likely to need emergency care if you are keeping up on your health.
Also, people who use their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. This can lead to both a greater drive to keep that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and help to get to appointments.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they will be able to drive more safely with less stress about what they can’t hear.
In addition, a U.S. study found that those with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Depression can lead to a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
Risks of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also decreased by using your hearing aids. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the associated part of the brain begins to decline from disuse. The rest of the brain is eventually impacted. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are commonly the outcome.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among individuals over 65, and the resulting hospitalizations last twice as long.
These are only a few of the reasons that hearing aids help minimize ER visits.
Why do so Many People Neglect Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of appearing old is one major reason why some individuals don’t wear their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this notion of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. And thanks to the rise in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is on the rise with people in their twenties.
It’s ironic that when someone is constantly asking people what they said it actually makes them look older.
Some people cite the price of hearing aids. However, the price of hearing aids has come down in just the past few years, and there are financing options available.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can typically be corrected by simply consulting your hearing specialist to learn how to more successfully use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids can require numerous fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.