Having to go to the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could minimize ER trips and substantially decrease your risk of depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline.
Emerging research makes the case that, for people with serious hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and ending up spending many nights in the emergency room.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had severe loss of hearing. But out of all of those people who participated, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
This is in agreement with similar studies which have revealed that only around 30% of people who have hearing aids actually wear them.
Of the 585 people in the hearing aid group, 12 fewer people found themselves in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may not seem like a very big number. But it’s statistically substantial.
And that’s not all. They also determined that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Using Hearing Aids?
The first one is obvious. You would be less likely to require emergency care if you were keeping up on your health.
Other research has revealed that when individuals with hearing loss wear 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.
And driving is less dangerous when you can hear, so you will have more confidence if you are getting yourself to your appointment.
In addition, a U.S. study revealed that those with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health problems related to lack of self care is frequently an outcome of depression.
The danger of falling and dementia are, as outlined by numerous studies, also decreased by wearing your hearing aids. 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. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are often the outcome.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among individuals over 65, and the consequent hospitalizations last two times as long.
These are only a few of the reasons that hearing aids help reduce ER visits.
Why do so Many Individuals Neglect Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Some people don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them seem older than they are. 25% of people 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 isn’t uncommon. It happens to many people. And thanks to the increase in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is increasing with people in their twenties.
It’s ironic that when someone is always asking people what they said it actually makes them appear older.
Price is frequently cited as a worry. However, financing is available for hearing aids and prices have come down in the past few years.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can normally be fixed by simply working with your hearing specialist to find out how to more successfully use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids can require several fittings before they are just right.
If something is preventing you from using your hearing aid, it’s time to make an appointment with your hearing specialist.
