Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen ER visits and dramatically reduce your chances of anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between having an active healthy life and taking many trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Severe hearing loss was a common condition between them. But out of all of those 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 individuals 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 may seem like a small number. But statistically, this is significant.
And that’s not all. They also determined that those who used their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. They were more likely to keep regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Reduced 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, individuals who wear their hearing aids stay more socially active. 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.
And driving is safer when you can hear, so you will have more confidence if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
One study conducted in the U.S. revealed that depression is twice as likely in people who don’t wear their hearing aid. Health problems related to lack of self care is often an outcome of depression.
Thirdly, numerous studies have found that using your hearing aid can reduce fall risk and dementia. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the corresponding part of the brain starts to decline from disuse. Over time, this can extend through the brain. As this happens, people commonly experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance associated with falls.
Falls are one of the major causes of death among individuals over 65, and the resulting hospital stays last two times as long.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help minimize ER visits.
Why do so Many Individuals Neglect Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of appearing old is one leading reason why some people don’t wear their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this notion of looking old with hearing aids remains. Hearing loss is not uncommon. It’s common. And due to the rise 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 appear older.
Price is frequently cited as a concern. However, financing is available for hearing aids and prices have come down in the past few years.
Some people don’t like how hearing aids sound. If this is a problem for you, your hearing specialist can help you understand what settings work best in different circumstances. Hearing aids sometimes need 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.