Having to visit the ER can be financially and personally costly. What if you could lessen your chances of accidents, falls, depression, anxiety, and even dementia while also preventing visits to the ER.
Emerging studies make the case that, for those with severe hearing loss, wearing their hearing aid could be the difference between staying connected and healthy and ending up spending many evenings in the emergency room.
The Research
Participants between the ages of 65 and 85 participated in a University of Michigan study. Severe hearing loss was a common problem between them. But only 45% of the participants used their hearing aids regularly.
Other studies have also revealed that hearing aids were worn regularly by only 30% of individuals who had them.
12 fewer, of the 585 people who did use their hearing aid, had Er visits or unplanned hospitalizations.
This might not seem like a very big number. But statistically, this is 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. Their time at the ER was probably decreased because they were more likely to keep their regular doctor’s appointments.
How Can ER Visits be Decreased by Wearing Hearing Aids?
First for the obvious one. If a person is keeping up with their health, they’re more likely to stay out of ER.
Also, individuals who wear their hearing aids stay more socially active. When a person is socially involved they are normally more committed to keeping keep their appointments and also have more support from friends and family getting to the doctor.
And driving is safer when you can hear, so you will be more confident if you are bringing yourself to your appointment.
In addition, a U.S. study revealed that those with hearing loss who don’t use their hearing aid are two times as likely to be depressed. Health concerns linked to lack of self care is often an outcome of depression.
Thirdly, several studies have found that using your hearing aid can minimize the risk of falling and cognitive decline. As a person begins to suffer from hearing impairment, the corresponding region of the brain starts to decline from disuse. The rest of the brain is eventually affected. As this occurs, people often experience dementia symptoms as well as the disorientation and lack of balance connected with falls.
Long hospital stays often accompany falls and falling is a major cause of senior death.
These are just a few of the reasons that hearing aids help decrease ER visits.
Why do so Many People Avoid Wearing Hearing Aids?
It’s hard to come up with a valid excuse.
Some don’t use them because they think that hearing aids make them seem older than they are. This notion persists in spite of the fact that about 25% of individuals over 65 have substantial hearing loss, and 50% of those 75 and older have it. Hearing loss isn’t unusual. It happens to lots of people. Additionally, hearing loss is increasing even among 20-year-olds thanks to earbuds and the rise in noise pollution.
It’s ironic that when someone is always asking people what they said it actually makes them seem older.
Some people reference the costs of hearing aids. However, hearing aids have become more affordable in just the past few years, and there are ways to finance them.
Some people don’t like how hearing aids sound. 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 numerous fittings before they are just right.
If something is stopping you from using your hearing aid, it’s time to make an appointment with your hearing specialist.