Having to visit the ER can be personally and financially costly. What if you could minimize ER visits and dramatically decrease your chances of anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline.
Surfacing studies make the case that, for individuals with severe hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying connected and healthy and winding up spending many nights in the emergency room.
The Study
Participants between the ages of 65 and 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Severe hearing loss was a widespread problem between them. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them used their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also revealed that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
Of the 585 individuals in the hearing aid group, 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 one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for people who wore their hearing aids. Their time at the ER was probably decreased because they were more likely to keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
First for the obvious one. You wouldn’t be as likely to require emergency care if you were keeping up on your health.
Other studies have shown that when people with hearing loss wear their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. When a person is socially connected they are usually more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from family and friends getting to the doctor.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they will be able to drive more safely with less stress about what they’re not hearing.
In addition, a U.S. study revealed that people with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health problems related to lack of self care is commonly an outcome of depression.
The danger of falling and dementia are, as outlined by numerous studies, also decreased by wearing your hearing aids. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the corresponding part of the brain starts to decline from disuse. The rest of the brain is ultimately impacted. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are often the result.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among individuals over 65, and the resulting hospital stays last twice as long.
Hearing aids decrease visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many People Avoid?
It’s difficult to come up with a valid excuse.
Fear of looking old is one leading reason why some individuals don’t use their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids remains. Hearing loss is not unusual. It’s common. Plus, hearing loss is on the rise even with 20-year-olds because of earbuds and the rise in noise pollution.
It’s ironic that when someone is constantly asking people what they said it actually makes them seem older.
Some individuals reference the price of hearing aids. However, financing is available for hearing aids and prices have come down in the last few years.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can normally be fixed by simply consulting your hearing specialist to find out how to more effectively use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids sometimes need numerous fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.