Trips to the ER can cost you time off work, not to mention personal pain. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also preventing visits to the ER.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between having an active healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new studies.
The Study
This University of Michigan study assembled participants which ranged from 65-85. Severe hearing loss was a widespread condition between them. But only 45% of the participants wore their hearing aids regularly.
Other studies have also found that hearing aids were worn regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
Of the 585 people in the hearing aid group, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may not seem like a very large number. But statistically, this is substantial.
And that’s not all. They also discovered that those who wore their hearing aids spend, on average, one day fewer in the hospital. Their time at the ER was probably reduced because they were more likely to show up for their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can ER Visits be Reduced by Using Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. If an individual is staying on top of their health, they’re more likely to stay away from ER.
Also, people who use their hearing aids stay more socially involved. When a person is socially involved they are usually more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more help from friends and family getting to the doctor.
And driving is less dangerous when you can hear, so you will be more confident if you are getting yourself to your appointment.
Additionally, a U.S. study found that individuals with hearing loss who don’t wear their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health problems related to lack of self care is commonly an outcome of depression.
Risks of falling and dementia are, as outlined by numerous studies, also reduced by using your hearing aids. As a person starts to lose their hearing, the associated part of the brain begins to decline from lack of use. With time, this can extend through the brain. The disorientation associated with falls and symptoms of dementia are frequently the outcome.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among individuals over 65, and the consequent hospital stays last twice as long.
Hearing aids minimize visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many Individuals Avoid?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Some don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them seem older than they are. 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 impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. Plus, hearing loss is increasing even with 20-year-olds because of earbuds and the increase in noise pollution.
Ironically, constantly asking people to repeat what they said often makes a person look much older than they are.
Some individuals reference the costs of hearing aids. However, financing is available for hearing aids and costs have come down in the past few years.
Some individuals don’t like the way hearing aids sound. In this case, your hearing specialist can help you recognize what settings work best in different circumstances. Hearing aids can require multiple fittings before they are just right.
If something is stopping you from wearing your hearing aid, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your hearing specialist.