Having to visit the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also preventing visits 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 studies.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had extreme loss of hearing. But out of all of those who took part, only 45% of them used their hearing aids regularly.
Other researchers have also revealed that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
12 fewer, of the 585 people who did wear their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This might not seem like a very big number. But it’s statistically substantial.
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 keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Wearing Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. You wouldn’t be as likely to need emergency care if you are keeping up on your health.
Also, individuals who use their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. This can lead to both a stronger motivation to show up for that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and assistance to get to appointments.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they can drive more safely with less stress about what they’re not hearing.
In addition, a U.S. study revealed that those with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are twice as likely to be depressed. Health issues linked to lack of self care is often an outcome of depression.
Thirdly, numerous studies have revealed that using your hearing aid can decrease the risk of falling and dementia. The part of the brain that’s responsible for hearing will begin to decline from lack of use as hearing declines. The rest of the brain is ultimately impacted. As this occurs, people often experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance associated with falls.
Long hospital stays often 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.
Why do so Many People Neglect Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Fear of appearing old is one major reason why some individuals don’t use their hearing aids. 25% of individuals over 65 and 50% of people above the age of 75 have hearing loss and yet this notion of looking old with hearing aids persists. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. And due 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, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are financing options available.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you recognize what settings work best in different situations. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound perfect on the first fitting and sometimes require several attempts.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.