Trips to the ER cause you to miss work, and also personal pain. What if you could reduce your risk of falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also preventing visits to the ER.
Using your hearing aid can be the difference between living an active healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Research
This University of Michigan study gathered participants ranging from 65-85. Extreme hearing loss was a common condition between them. But out of all of those people who took part, only 45% of them wore 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.
Of the 585 people in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This might not seem like a very big 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 individuals who used their hearing aids. They were more likely to keep regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Wearing Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. If an individual is staying on top of their health, they’re more likely to stay away from ER.
Also, individuals who wear their hearing aids remain more socially involved. This can result in both a stronger drive to keep that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and help to get to appointments.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they can drive more safely with less anxiety about what they’re not hearing.
One study carried out in the U.S. found that depression is two times as likely in individuals who don’t wear their hearing aid. Depression can lead to a lack of self-care, which can lead to health issues.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also decreased by wearing your hearing aids. The region of the brain that’s responsible for hearing will start to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can extend through the brain. The disorientation related to falls and symptoms of dementia are often the result.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a major cause of senior death.
Hearing aids decrease visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many Individuals Avoid?
There’s really no good reason.
Some don’t use them because they think that hearing aids make them appear older than they actually are. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this notion of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing loss is not unusual. It’s common. Additionally, hearing loss is increasing even among 20-year-olds because of earbuds and the rise in noise pollution.
Ironically, frequently asking people to repeat what they said often makes a person appear a lot older than they are.
Cost is frequently noted as a worry. However, financing is possible for hearing aids and costs have come down in the last few years.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. If this is a problem for you, your hearing specialist can help you understand what settings work best in different circumstances. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound perfect on the first fitting and sometimes require a few attempts.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.