Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could lessen ER visits and dramatically decrease your chances of depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between living an active healthy life and taking many trips to the ER, according to some new studies.
The Study
Participants between the ages of 65 and 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had significant loss of hearing. But only 45% of the participants wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also demonstrated that hearing aids were worn 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 statistically, this is significant.
And that’s not all. They also discovered that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for those who used their hearing aids. Their time at the ER was probably decreased because they were more likely to show up for their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
The first one is obvious. If a person is keeping up with their health, they’re more likely to stay away from ER.
Also, individuals who wear their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. This can lead to both a greater motivation 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 can drive more safely with less stress about what they can’t hear.
In addition, a U.S. study found that people with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health issues related to lack of self care is frequently an outcome of depression.
The danger of falling and dementia are, according to various studies, also decreased by wearing your hearing aids. The region of the brain that’s used for hearing will begin to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. With time, this can extend through the brain. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are commonly the result.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among individuals over 65, and the consequent hospitalizations last two times as long.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help reduce trips to the ER.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many Individuals Avoid?
There’s really no good reason.
Some don’t use them because they think that hearing aids make them seem older than they are. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It happens to lots of people. And thanks to the increase in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is increasing among people in their twenties.
It’s ironic that when someone is constantly asking people what they said it actually makes them seem older.
Some people cite the price of hearing aids. 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 situations. Hearing aids sometimes need numerous fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.