Gilberts Audiology & Hearing Aid Center - Oklahoma

Woman enjoying better mental health after getting hearing aids.

About 28 million people could be helped by using hearing aids. Which means that 28 million people would here their world better if they had hearing aids. But there are also some other, fairly surprising health advantages that you can start to take advantage of thanks to your hearing aids.

Your physical and mental health can, as it turns out, be helped by something as simple as using hearing aids. Everything from a risk of falling to depression can be slowed or even prevented by these devices. Your hearing aids can literally help you stay on your feet.

Mental Health Benefits of Hearing Aids

Modern medical studies have solidly demonstrated a link between cognitive decline and hearing loss. Mental illnesses including dementia, cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression, according to current thinking, can be triggered by hearing loss as a consequence of a mix of physical, mental and social factors.

So the mental health advantages of hearing aids shouldn’t be very surprising.

Dementia Risks Reduced

Based on one study, wearing your hearing aids can help decrease your risk of developing dementia by up to 18%. And all you need to do to make the most of this awesome advantage is remember to wear your hearing every day.

In other research, the arrival of dementia was delayed by as much as two years by using hearing aids. Further research needs to be carried out to help clarify and duplicate these results, but it’s definitely encouraging.

Depression And Anxiety Can be Decreased

Depression and anxiety are not symptoms that are unique to those who suffer from hearing loss. But people with hearing loss have been shown to have a higher risk of anxiety and depression over time.

When you wear hearing aids, you tend to stay more mentally focused and engaged socially. Hearing aids can be especially helpful if those factors are contributing to depression and anxiety.

You Won’t be as Lonely

While it may not seem as serious or important as dementia, loneliness can be a serious issue for people who suffer from neglected hearing loss, social solitude often being the cause and adding fuel to the fire. That social separation can cause considerable changes to your mood. So being able to continue to be social and involved thanks to your hearing aid can be a huge advantage.

To be certain, this ties together with your hearing aids’ ability to decrease the risks of depression, for example. All of these health problems, to a certain degree, are in some manner connected.

The Physical Advantages of Hearing Aids

As your hearing impairment worsens, there is some research that shows that you might be at a higher risk of stroke. But that specific research is obviously on the preliminary side. The most pronounced (and perceptible) physical benefit of hearing aids is a little simpler: you won’t fall as often.

This occurs for two reasons:

  • Fall detection: Sometimes, it’s not the fall that’s hazardous. Rather, it’s that you can’t get back up that creates possible danger. Many new models of hearing aids come with fall detection as a standard feature. With particular settings equipped, when you have a fall, a call will immediately be made to one of your pre-programmed emergency contacts so they know to check up on you.
  • Situational awareness:

Falling can have pretty significant health impacts, particularly as you get older. So avoiding falls (or decreasing the damage from falls) can be a significant advantage that ripples throughout your overall health.

Be Sure to Wear Your Hearing Aids

It’s worth keeping in mind that all of these benefits apply to people who have hearing conditions. If your hearing is healthy, then using a hearing aid will likely not decrease your risk of cognitive decline, for example.

But if you do suffer from hearing loss, the best thing you can do for your ears, and for the rest of your body, is to wear your hearing aids.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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