There’s a very simple message for anyone suffering from hearing loss: Use hearing aids.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were less likely to develop health issues like depression, anxiety, dementia, and dangerous falls if they started wearing hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss. While this doesn’t prove hearing aids stop these health issues, their use is linked to fewer health issues. The study shows that seniors who wore hearing aids had a 13% less likely chance of having a hazardous fall. They also had an 18% less likely chance of developing dementia and an 11% less likelihood of developing anxiety and depression.
Stop The Excuses
It’s important to consider that regarding your health, these figures may seem low but they’re still considerable. Prior research has demonstrated a connection between hearing loss and other serious health issues, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, declining problem. It’s important to note that many people diagnosed with hearing loss don’t bother buying hearing aids. Why not? For many, the absence of insurance coverage is an issue. And the cost might still be too high even with insurance.
Some individuals actually go in and get fitted but when they get their hearing aid home, it feels like too much hassle to use them, so they don’t. Many people don’t view hearing impairment as a major concern because they can turn up the TV volume to solve the problem.
While it might seem like hearing loss is unavoidable as you age, there’s more to it than that, and turning the volume up is not the best solution.
The Value of Healthy Hearing
Hearing is clearly a big element of communication. If your inability to communicate causes you to miss a critical instruction by your doctor or direction by a family member, that’s an issue. As a result, you may not be capable of conveying your concerns and symptoms.
Other issues related to a lack of reliable communication are less obvious. When you struggle to hear and follow a conversation on the phone, you might lose touch with some of the people in your support system due to frustration or embarrassment. Not being able to hear might even lead to less brain stimulation, and we all know that exercising your mind can help fight against dementia.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Extreme long-term concerns aren’t all that getting hearing aids is about. Your long term wellbeing will definitely improve but hearing aids will immediately improve your quality of life. If you can hear and participate in conversations, it reduces your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to partake more fully in your social life. When you can communicate clearly with your physician, you can accurately share the health concerns you are experiencing and understand your doctor’s treatment plan to reduce your anxiety further.
Is it time to look into a hearing aid? If you have any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Avoiding social interaction because you’re afraid you can’t follow conversations
- Frequently needing people to repeat what they said
- Turning the volume of the TV way up
- Difficulty hearing the person you’re speaking to if there is background noise
These are only a few of the symptoms that could reveal you should consider a hearing aid. If any of them sound familiar, ask us if a hearing aid may be the right option for you.
