Having to visit the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could minimize your risk of falls, accidents, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also eliminating trips to the ER.
Emerging studies make the case that, for individuals with severe hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying involved and healthy and ending up spending many nights in the emergency room.
The Study
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had severe loss of hearing. But only 45% of the participants wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other studies have also revealed that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of people who had them.
12 fewer, of the 585 people who did wear their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This may not seem like a very big 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 wore their hearing aids. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Reduced by Wearing Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. You would be less likely to require emergency care if you are keeping up on your health.
Other studies have shown that when people with hearing loss use their hearing aids, they stay more connected to friends, family, and the community. This can result in both a stronger drive to show up for that doctor’s appointment and better access to services and support to get to appointments.
For those driving themselves, it means that they can drive more safely with less anxiety about what they’re not hearing.
In addition, a U.S. study revealed that individuals with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Depression can result in a lack of self-care, which can lead to health concerns.
Thirdly, several studies have revealed that using your hearing aid can decrease the risk of falling and dementia. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the corresponding part of the brain starts to decline from lack of use. The rest of the brain is ultimately impacted. As this happens, people often experience dementia symptoms and the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
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 People Avoid?
It’s hard to come up with a valid excuse.
Fear of appearing old is one leading reason why some individuals don’t wear their hearing aids. 25% of people over 65 and 50% of people over 75 have hearing loss and yet this perception of looking old with hearing aids remains. Hearing loss isn’t unusual. It happens to lots of people. Additionally, hearing loss is on the rise even among 20-year-olds because of earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
It’s ironic that when someone is always asking people what they said it actually makes them seem older.
Cost is often mentioned as a worry. However, the price of hearing aids has come down in just the last few years, and there are financing options available.
Some individuals don’t like the way hearing aids sound. This can often be fixed by simply consulting your hearing specialist to learn how to more effectively use your hearing aid in various settings. Hearing aids can require several fittings before they are just right.
Schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.