Trips to the ER cause you to miss work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also eliminating visits to the ER.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between having an engaged healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new research.
The Study
This University of Michigan research gathered participants that ranged from 65-85. Severe hearing loss was a widespread condition between them. But out of all of those who took part, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
This is in agreement with similar studies which have shown that only around 30% of individuals who have hearing aids actually wear them.
Of the 585 individuals in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people found themselves in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This might seem like a small number. But it’s statistically significant.
And there’s more. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for people 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 Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For ER Visits?
The first one is obvious. You would be less likely to need emergency care if you were keeping up on your health.
Also, people who wear their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. When a person is socially involved they are normally more motivated to keep their appointments and also have more help from family and friends getting to the doctor.
For those driving themselves, it means that they will be able to drive more safely with less stress about what they’re not hearing.
One study done in the U.S. discovered that depression is twice as likely in people who don’t wear their hearing aid. Health concerns linked to lack of self care is commonly an outcome of depression.
Thirdly, numerous studies have revealed that wearing your hearing aid can decrease fall risk and dementia. As a person begins to lose their hearing, the associated part of the brain begins to decline from lack of use. The rest of the brain is ultimately impacted. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are frequently the outcome.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among those over 65, and the resulting hospitalizations last two times as long.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help decrease trips to the ER.
Why do so Many People Avoid Wearing Hearing Aids?
There’s truly no good reason.
Some people don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them look older than they actually 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 uncommon. It’s common. And thanks to the rise in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is on the rise among people in their twenties.
Ironically, constantly asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person look a lot older than they are.
Cost is frequently noted as a concern. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the past few years, and there are financing options available.
Some people don’t like the way hearing aids sound. This can typically be fixed by simply working with your hearing specialist to learn how to more successfully use your hearing aid in different settings. Hearing aids don’t always fit and sound optimal on the first fitting and sometimes require a number of attempts.
If something is stopping you from wearing your hearing aid, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist.