Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, and also personal pain. What if you could minimize your risk of falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also preventing trips to the ER.
Using your hearing aid can be the difference between having an engaged healthy life and taking many trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Research
This University of Michigan research gathered participants that ranged from 65-85. Each had extreme hearing loss. But out of all of those who participated, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
Other researchers have also revealed that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of people who had them.
Of the 585 people in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This might seem like a small number. But it’s statistically substantial.
And there’s more. They also discovered 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 show up for their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Using Hearing Aids?
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 use their hearing aids stay more socially active. When a person is socially connected they are usually more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from friends and family getting to the doctor.
For those driving themselves, it means that they will be able to 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 wear their hearing aid are twice as likely to be depressed. Health problems related to lack of self care is frequently an outcome of depression.
Risks of falling and dementia are, as outlined by various studies, also reduced by using your hearing aids. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the associated part of the brain starts to decline from disuse. Over time, this can extend through the brain. As this occurs, people frequently experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Long hospital stays often accompany falls and falling is a leading cause of senior death.
Hearing aids reduce visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
Why do so Many People Avoid Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of looking old is one major reason why some people don’t use their hearing aids. This notion remains in spite of the fact that nearly 25% of people over 65 have substantial hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and above have it. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It happens to lots of people. Plus, hearing loss is increasing even with 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
Ironically, constantly asking people to repeat what they said often makes a person appear a lot older than they are.
Some people cite the costs of hearing aids. However, financing is possible for hearing aids and costs have come down in the past few years.
Lastly, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. This can often be fixed by simply working with your hearing specialist to find out how to more effectively use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids can require several fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.