Trips to the ER can cost you time off work, and also personal pain. What if you could lessen ER trips and substantially reduce your chances of anxiety, depression, and even dementia.
Wearing your hearing aid can be the difference between living an active healthy life and taking lots of trips to the ER, according to some new studies.
The Research
Participants from 65 to 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Each had extreme hearing loss. But only 45% of the participants used their hearing aids regularly.
This is on par with comparable studies which have revealed that only about 30% of people who have hearing aids actually wear them.
Of the 585 people in the group who did use their hearing aids, 12 fewer people ended up in the ER or non-elective hospital stay.
This might not seem like a very large number. But it’s statistically significant.
And there’s more. They also discovered 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 most likely reduced their time in ER.
How Might Hearing Aids Minimize The Need For Emergency Care Visits?
First for the obvious one. If an individual is staying on top of their health, they’re more likely to stay out of ER.
Also, individuals who wear their hearing aids remain more socially involved. When a person is socially connected they are usually more motivated to keep their appointments and also have more support from family and friends getting to the doctor.
For those bringing themselves, it means that they can drive more safely with less stress about what they can’t hear.
Additionally, a U.S. study found that those 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 issues.
Risks of falling and dementia are, as outlined by various studies, also decreased 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. The rest of the brain is eventually impacted. As this happens, people frequently experience dementia symptoms and the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Falls are one of the leading causes of death among those over 65, and the consequent hospital stays last two times as long.
Hearing aids minimize visits to the ER for these reasons amongst others.
Why do so Many People Avoid Wearing Hearing Aids?
It’s hard to come up with a valid excuse.
Some don’t wear them because they think that hearing aids make them appear older than they actually 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 persists. Hearing impairment isn’t rare. It’s common. Plus, 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.
Some people cite the price of hearing aids. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the last few years, and there are financing options available.
Some people don’t like how hearing aids sound. In this case, your audiologist can help you recognize what settings work best in different circumstances. Hearing aids sometimes need several fittings before they are just right.
Make an appointment with us so we can help you feel more comfortable wearing your hearing aids.
