Having to visit the ER can be personally and financially costly. What if you could minimize ER trips and substantially reduce your risk of depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
Emerging research makes the case that, for individuals with serious hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and ending 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 hearing loss. But out of all of those people who took part, only 45% of them used their hearing aids regularly.
This is on par with similar studies which have found that only about 30% of people who have hearing aids actually use them.
12 fewer, of the 585 individuals who did use their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may seem like a small number. But it’s statistically significant.
And that’s not all. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for those who used 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 Decrease The Need For ER Visits?
First for the obvious one. You wouldn’t be as likely to need emergency care if you are paying attention to your health.
Also, individuals who use their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. This can lead to both a stronger drive to keep that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and assistance to get to appointments.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they will be able to drive more safely with less anxiety 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 linked to lack of self care is often an outcome of depression.
Thirdly, numerous studies have shown that using your hearing aid can reduce fall risk and cognitive decline. As a person starts to suffer from hearing impairment, the associated region of the brain starts to decline from disuse. The rest of the brain is eventually affected. The disorientation related to falls and symptoms of dementia are commonly the outcome.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among those over 65, and the consequent hospital stays last two times as long.
These are only a few of the reasons that hearing aids help reduce ER visits.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many Individuals Neglect?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Some don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them appear older than they are. This notion remains despite the fact that around 25% of people over 65 have significant hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and above have it. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It happens to lots of people. Additionally, hearing loss is on the rise even with 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
It’s ironic that when someone is always asking people what they said it actually makes them look older.
Price is often noted as a concern. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Lastly, some don’t enjoy the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can normally be corrected by simply working with your hearing specialist to learn how to more effectively use your hearing aid in various settings. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound optimal on the first fitting and sometimes require a number of attempts.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.
