Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could minimize your chances of falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also preventing trips to the ER.
Surfacing studies make the case that, for people with serious hearing loss, using their hearing aid could be the difference between staying connected and healthy and winding up spending many nights in the emergency room.
The Study
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Severe hearing loss was a widespread problem between them. But out of all of those people who participated, only 45% of them used their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also demonstrated that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of people who had them.
Of the 585 individuals in the hearing aid group, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may not seem like a very big number. But it’s statistically significant.
And that’s not all. They also found that those who wore their hearing aids spend, on average, one fewer day in the hospital. They were more likely to keep regular appointments with their doctors, which likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Wearing Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. You wouldn’t be as likely to require emergency care if you are paying attention to 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 help to get to appointments.
And driving is safer when you can hear, so you will be more confident if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
One study carried out in the U.S. discovered that depression is twice as likely in people who don’t use their hearing aid. Depression can bring about a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also reduced by wearing your hearing aids. The part of the brain that’s responsible for hearing will start to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can extend through the brain. As this happens, people frequently experience dementia symptoms and the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a major cause of senior death.
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 People Avoid?
There’s truly no good reason.
Some don’t use them because they think that hearing aids make them look older than they actually are. 25% of people over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing loss isn’t unusual. It happens to many people. And thanks to the increase in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is on the rise among people in their twenties.
It’s ironic that when someone is constantly asking people what they said it actually makes them seem older.
Price is often noted as a worry. However, the price of hearing aids has come down in just the last few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you understand what settings work best in different circumstances. Hearing aids can require multiple fittings before they are just right.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.