Having to go to the ER cause you to miss work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, anxiety, depression, and even dementia while also eliminating 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 between the ages of 65 and 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Severe hearing loss was a widespread condition between them. But out of all of those people who took part, only 45% of them wore their hearing aids on a regular basis.
Other researchers have also shown that hearing aids were used regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
Of the 585 individuals in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This may seem like a small 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. They were more likely to show up for regular appointments with their doctors, which probably decreased their time in ER.
How Can Emergency Care Visits be Decreased by Using Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. 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 active. 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.
And driving is safer when you can hear, so you will have more confidence 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 two times as likely to be depressed. Depression can lead to a lack of self-care, which can lead to health issues.
Risks of falling and dementia are, as outlined by various studies, also reduced by using your hearing aids. 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. The disorientation related to falls and symptoms of dementia are frequently the result.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among individuals over 65, and the consequent hospitalizations last twice as long.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help decrease ER visits.
So Why is Wearing Hearing Aids Something That so Many People Neglect?
It’s difficult to come up with a legitimate excuse.
Fear of appearing old is one major reason why some individuals don’t wear their hearing aids. This perception remains despite the fact that nearly 25% of individuals over 65 have significant hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and above have it. Hearing loss is not unusual. It happens to lots of people. Plus, hearing loss is increasing even with 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 concern. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Finally, some don’t like the hearing experience with their hearing aid. If this is a problem for you, your hearing specialist can help you recognize what settings work best in different situations. Hearing aids can require several fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with your hearing specialist so we can help you feel more secure wearing your hearing aids.