Having to go to the ER can be personally and financially costly. What if you could lessen ER trips and significantly reduce your risk of depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
Surfacing research makes the case that, for individuals with serious hearing loss, using their hearing aid could be the difference between staying connected and healthy and winding up spending many evenings in the emergency room.
The Study
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had significant loss of hearing. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them used their hearing aids regularly.
This is in agreement with comparable studies which have found that only around 30% of individuals who have hearing aids actually use them.
12 fewer, of the 585 individuals who did use their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may seem like a small number. But it’s statistically substantial.
And that’s not all. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for people who used their hearing aids. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to show up for their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Reduced by Using Hearing Aids?
The first one is obvious. You wouldn’t be as likely to require emergency care if you were paying attention to your health.
Other studies have revealed that when people with hearing loss wear their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. This can lead to both a stronger drive to keep that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and help to get to appointments.
And driving is less dangerous when you can hear, so you will be more confident if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
Additionally, a U.S. study revealed that people with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Depression can lead to a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
Thirdly, numerous studies have revealed that wearing your hearing aid can lessen fall risk and cognitive decline. As a person starts to suffer from hearing impairment, the associated part of the brain begins to decline from lack of use. The rest of the brain is ultimately impacted. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are often the outcome.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among those over 65, and the resulting hospital stays last two times as long.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help decrease ER visits.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many People Neglect?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Some don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them look older than they actually are. This notion remains in spite of the fact that nearly 25% of individuals over 65 have substantial hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and older have it. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. Additionally, hearing loss is increasing even among 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
Ironically, frequently asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person look much older than they are.
Some people cite the price of hearing aids. However, financing is available for hearing aids and prices have come down in the last few years.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you recognize what settings work best in different situations. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound perfect on the first fitting and sometimes need a few tries.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.