For anybody suffering from hearing loss, the message is simple: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were not as likely to develop health issues such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and dangerous falls if they started using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While this doesn’t prove hearing aids prevent these health problems, their use is linked to fewer health issues. The study shows that seniors who use hearing aids had a 13% less likely chance of having a serious fall. They also had an 18% less likely chance of developing dementia and an 11% less likelihood of developing anxiety and depression.
Refrain From Making Excuses
It’s important to consider that regarding your health, these figures may appear low but they’re still significant. Prior research has demonstrated a correlation between hearing loss and other serious health problems, but this study proved it’s an ongoing, declining problem. It’s essential to remember that many individuals diagnosed with hearing loss don’t bother getting hearing aids. Why not? Not having the proper insurance to cover some of the expenses is a common problem. Even among people who have insurance, the cost may be too high.
Others go through the motions, getting fitted for hearing aids and bringing them home only to leave them in the case because using them feels like too much of a hassle. Most individuals just turn up the volume to solve the dilemma and don’t consider hearing loss as much of a problem.
Louder volume on the TV won’t solve the issue, though, and while hearing loss may seem to be an inescapable part of growing older, there is much more to it.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Obviously, a principal aspect of communication is the ability to hear. If your failure to communicate causes you to miss a critical instruction by your doctor or direction by a family member, that’s an issue. Consequently, communicating your symptoms and concerns will be difficult.
Other problems related to a lack of reliable communication are less obvious. When you struggle to hear and keep up with a conversation on the phone, you may lose touch with some of the people in your support system due to frustration or embarrassment. And clearly, your chance of developing dementia is higher if your brain doesn’t get enough stimulation which happens when you can’t hear.
Hearing Aid Advantages
Extreme long-term concerns are not all that getting hearing aids is about. Your long term wellbeing will certainly improve but hearing aids will instantly improve your quality of life. If you can hear and participate in conversations, it decreases your chances of feeling isolated and lets you participate more fully in your social life. When you can communicate clearly with your physician, you can effectively share the health problems you are experiencing and comprehend your doctor’s treatment plan to reduce your anxiety further.
Should I get hearing aids? The answer is yes if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Turning the volume of the TV way up
- Avoiding social situations because you’re afraid you can’t follow conversations
- Asking others to repeat what they said constantly
- Background noise makes it difficult to hear when someone is speaking to you
These are only some of the symptoms that might indicate you need to consider a hearing aid. If any of them sound familiar, ask us if a hearing aid might be right for you.