Having to go to the ER can be personally and financially costly. What if you could minimize ER trips and significantly decrease your chances of depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between living an engaged healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new studies.
The Research
This University of Michigan research assembled participants ranging from 65-85. Each had extreme loss of hearing. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them used their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also shown that hearing aids were worn regularly by only 30% of people who had them.
12 fewer, of the 585 individuals who did wear their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may not seem like a very large number. But it’s statistically significant.
And there’s more. They also discovered that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one fewer day in the hospital. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to show up for their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Might Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
The first one is obvious. If a person is staying on top of their health, they’re more likely to stay away from ER.
Also, people who wear their hearing aids stay more socially involved. When a person is socially involved they are usually more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from family and friends getting to the doctor.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they can drive more safely with less stress about what they can’t hear.
In addition, a U.S. study found that those with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health issues linked to lack of self care is commonly an outcome of depression.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to numerous studies, also decreased by using your hearing aids. As a person begins to suffer from hearing impairment, the associated part of the brain starts to decline from lack of use. The rest of the brain is eventually impacted. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are often the outcome.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among those 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 Individuals Neglect?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of looking old is one leading 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 notion of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing loss isn’t uncommon. It’s common. Additionally, hearing loss is on the rise even among 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the rise in noise pollution.
Ironically, constantly asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person appear a lot older than they are.
Some individuals cite the price of hearing aids. However, financing is possible for hearing aids and costs have come down in the past few years.
Some individuals don’t like how hearing aids sound. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you understand what settings work best in different situations. 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 using your hearing aid, it’s time to make an appointment with your hearing specialist.