Trips to the ER can cost you time off work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could lessen ER trips and dramatically decrease your chances of anxiety, depression, and even dementia.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between living an active healthy life and taking many trips to the ER, according to some new studies.
The Study
This University of Michigan study assembled participants ranging from 65-85. Extreme hearing loss was a common problem between them. But only 45% of the participants used their hearing aids on a regular basis.
This is on par with similar studies which have shown that only about 30% of people 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 large number. But statistically, this is significant.
And there’s more. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for people who used their hearing aids. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely decreased their time in ER.
How Might Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For ER Visits?
First for the obvious one. You would be less likely to require emergency care if you were paying attention to your health.
Other research has shown that when individuals with hearing loss wear their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. When a person is socially connected they are normally more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from friends and family getting to the doctor.
And driving is less dangerous when you can hear, so you will have more confidence if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
One study conducted in the U.S. discovered that depression is twice 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.
Thirdly, numerous studies have shown that using your hearing aid can decrease the risk of falling and cognitive decline. The part of the brain that’s used for hearing will begin to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can spread through the brain. As this happens, people often experience dementia symptoms and the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a leading 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?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Fear of looking old is one major reason why some people don’t wear their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids remains. Hearing loss is not unusual. It’s common. And thanks to the rise in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is increasing among people in their twenties.
It’s ironic that when someone is constantly asking people what they said it actually makes them look older.
Price is frequently mentioned as a concern. However, the price of hearing aids has come down in just the past few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Some people don’t like the way hearing aids sound. This can often be fixed by simply consulting your hearing specialist to find out how to more successfully use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound perfect on the first fitting and sometimes require a few attempts.
If something is preventing you from wearing your hearing aid, it’s time to make an appointment with your hearing specialist.