Having to visit the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could reduce your chances of falls, accidents, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also preventing visits to the ER.
Surfacing studies make the case that, for individuals with severe hearing loss, using their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and winding up spending many evenings in the emergency room.
The Study
This University of Michigan research gathered participants ranging from 65-85. Severe hearing loss was a widespread problem between them. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
This is on par with comparable studies which have found that only about 30% of people who have hearing aids actually wear them.
Of the 585 individuals in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may not seem like a very big number. But it’s statistically substantial.
And there’s more. They also found that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one fewer day in the hospital. They were more likely to keep regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Reduced by Using Hearing Aids?
The first one is obvious. You wouldn’t be as likely to need emergency care if you were keeping up on your health.
Other studies have shown that when individuals with hearing loss use their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. This can lead to both a stronger motivation 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 can drive more safely with less stress about what they’re not hearing.
Additionally, a U.S. study revealed that those with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Depression can result in a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also reduced by using your hearing aids. The region of the brain that’s used for hearing will start to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. Over time, this can spread through the brain. As this occurs, people frequently 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 minimize 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 looking old is one major reason why some people don’t use their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It happens to many people. Additionally, hearing loss is increasing even among 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.
Cost is often cited as a concern. However, financing is possible for hearing aids and costs have come down in the past few years.
Lastly, some don’t enjoy the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can typically be corrected by simply consulting your hearing specialist to find out how to more effectively use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound perfect 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 comfortable wearing your hearing aids.