Trips to the ER cause you to miss work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could lessen ER trips and significantly decrease your chances of anxiety, depression, and even dementia.
Using your hearing aid can be the difference between having an active healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Study
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Extreme hearing loss was a widespread condition between them. But only 45% of the participants used their hearing aids on a regular basis.
This is in agreement with comparable studies which have shown that only about 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 not seem like a very big number. But statistically, this is substantial.
And there’s more. They also discovered that those who wore their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Might Hearing Aids Reduce The Need For ER Visits?
The first one is obvious. You wouldn’t be as likely to need emergency care if you were keeping up on your health.
Other research has revealed that when people with hearing loss wear their hearing aids, they stay more connected to family, friends, and the community. When a person is socially involved they are normally more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more help 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 anxiety about what they can’t hear.
One study conducted in the U.S. found that depression is twice as likely in individuals who don’t use their hearing aid. Health concerns related to lack of self care is frequently an outcome of depression.
Risks of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also reduced by using your hearing aids. The part of the brain that’s responsible for hearing will begin to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can extend through the brain. As this happens, people often experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among people over 65, and the resulting hospital stays last twice 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 People Neglect?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Fear of looking old is one major reason why some individuals don’t wear their hearing aids. This notion persists despite the fact that about 25% of people over 65 have significant hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and older have it. Hearing loss isn’t unusual. It’s common. And due to the increase in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is increasing with people in their twenties.
Ironically, continuously asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person look much older than they are.
Cost is frequently mentioned as a concern. However, the price of hearing aids has come down in just the last few years, and there are financing options available.
Lastly, some don’t enjoy the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can normally be fixed by simply consulting your hearing specialist to find out how to more successfully use your hearing aid in various settings. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound optimal on the first fitting and sometimes need a few tries.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.