Trips to the ER can cost you time off work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also eliminating 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 which ranged from 65-85. Extreme hearing loss was a common condition between them. But out of all of those people who took part, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
This is on par with similar studies which have revealed that only about 30% of individuals who have hearing aids actually use them.
12 fewer, of the 585 people who did wear their hearing aid, had ER visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may seem like a moderate number. But statistically, this is significant.
And there’s more. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for those who used their hearing aids. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can Hearing Aids Decrease The Need For ER Visits?
First for the obvious one. You wouldn’t be as likely to need emergency care if you are keeping up on your health.
Other research has revealed that when people with hearing loss wear their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. This can result in both a greater drive to keep that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and help to get to appointments.
For those bringing 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 revealed that people with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are twice as likely to be depressed. Depression can bring about a lack of self-care, which can lead to health problems.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to numerous studies, also decreased by using your hearing aids. As a person starts to suffer from hearing impairment, the associated part of the brain begins to decline from disuse. With time, this can extend through the brain. The disorientation related to falls and symptoms of dementia are frequently the result.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a major 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?
It’s difficult to come up with a valid excuse.
Some don’t use them because they think that hearing aids make them appear older than they are. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing loss is not unusual. It’s common. Plus, hearing loss is on the rise even with 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
Ironically, constantly asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person seem a lot older than they are.
Some individuals cite the price of hearing aids. However, financing is possible for hearing aids and prices have come down in the past few years.
Lastly, 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 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.
