Having to go to the ER can cost you time off work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could reduce your risk of accidents, falls, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also eliminating visits to the ER.
Surfacing studies make the case that, for those with serious hearing loss, using their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and ending up spending many evenings in the emergency room.
The Study
This University of Michigan study assembled participants that ranged from 65-85. Each had significant loss of hearing. But out of all of those people who took part, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids regularly.
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 found themselves in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may seem like a small number. But statistically, this is substantial.
And there’s more. They also found that one day fewer, on average, was spent in the hospital for individuals who used their hearing aids. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which likely decreased their time in ER.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Using Hearing Aids?
The first one is obvious. You would be less likely to require emergency care if you were paying attention to your health.
Also, individuals who use their hearing aids remain more socially engaged. When a person is socially involved they are usually more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from family and friends getting to the doctor.
And driving is less dangerous when you can hear, so you will be more confident if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
Additionally, a U.S. study found that individuals with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are twice as likely to be depressed. Depression can lead to a lack of self-care, which can lead to health problems.
Thirdly, numerous studies have found 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 eventually affected. The disorientation related to falls and symptoms of dementia are commonly the outcome.
Long hospital stays frequently accompany falls and falling is a leading cause of senior death.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help decrease trips to the ER.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many Individuals Avoid?
It’s difficult to come up with a valid excuse.
Some people don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them look older than they actually are. This perception persists despite the fact that about 25% of people over 65 have substantial hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and older have it. Hearing loss is not uncommon. It happens to lots of people. And thanks to the increase in noise pollution and earbud usage, hearing loss is on the rise among people in their twenties.
Ironically, frequently asking people to repeat themselves often makes a person appear a lot older than they are.
Some people reference the costs of hearing aids. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Some people don’t like the way hearing aids sound. If this is a problem for you, 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 require a number of attempts.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.
