Trips to the ER can cost you time off work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen your risk of falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also eliminating visits to the ER.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between having an engaged healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had extreme loss of hearing. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
This is on par with comparable studies which have found that only around 30% of individuals who have hearing aids actually use them.
12 fewer, of the 585 individuals who did wear their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This might seem like a moderate number. But statistically, this is substantial.
And there’s more. They also discovered 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 Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
The first one is obvious. 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 stay more socially active. When a person is socially connected they are usually more motivated to keep their appointments and also have more help from friends and family getting to the doctor.
For those driving 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 revealed that those with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are twice as likely to be depressed. Depression can bring about a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
Thirdly, various studies have found that wearing your hearing aid can decrease the risk of falling and dementia. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the corresponding part of the brain begins to decline from lack of use. The rest of the brain is ultimately affected. As this occurs, people commonly experience dementia symptoms and the disorientation and lack of balance associated with falls.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a major cause of senior death.
Hearing aids reduce visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
Why do so Many People Neglect Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s really no good reason.
Fear of appearing old is one leading reason why some individuals don’t use their hearing aids. This perception persists despite the fact that nearly 25% of people over 65 have substantial hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and above have it. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. Plus, hearing loss is increasing even among 20-year-olds thanks to 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.
Price is frequently cited as a worry. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the past few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you recognize what settings work best in different situations. Hearing aids can require several 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.