For anybody dealing with hearing loss, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were not as likely to develop health issues like depression, anxiety, dementia, and dangerous falls if they began using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While this doesn’t prove hearing aids stop these health problems, their use is associated with fewer health problems. The study shows that seniors who use 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.
Avoid Making Excuses
It’s worthwhile to consider that regarding your health, these numbers may seem low but they’re still considerable. Previous studies have shown a link between hearing loss and other significant health problems, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, declining problem. But many people who have hearing loss don’t have it treated or ever use hearing aids. Why not? Not having the correct insurance to cover some of the costs is a common issue. Even among people with insurance, the cost may seem too high.
Some individuals actually go in and get fitted but when they get their hearing aid home, it seems like too much trouble to use them, so they don’t. Most individuals simply turn up the volume to solve the problem and don’t consider hearing loss as much of a problem.
Higher volume on the TV won’t solve the issue, however, and while hearing loss might seem to be an inescapable part of growing older, there is a lot more to it.
The Importance of Healthy Hearing
Hearing is clearly a large element of communication. Without the ability to communicate properly, you might not understand questions posed by your physicians or family. As a result, you might not be capable of conveying your concerns and symptoms.
There are also some less obvious issues related to poor communication. When you strain to hear and keep up with a conversation on the phone, you might lose touch with some of the people in your support system due to embarrassment and frustration. Not being able to hear might even result in less brain stimulus, and we all recognize that exercising your mind can help fight against dementia.
The Advantages of Hearing Aids
Buying a hearing aid isn’t all about severe, long-term concerns. Using a hearing aid will immediately enhance your quality of life, in addition to your long-term wellbeing. If you can hear and engage in conversations, it decreases your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to participate more fully in your social life. When you can communicate intelligibly with your doctor, you can effectively share the health problems you are experiencing and comprehend your doctor’s treatment plan to decrease your anxiety further.
Do I need hearing aids? The answer is yes if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Watching TV at extreme volume
- Background sound makes it difficult to hear when someone is talking to you
- Keeping away from social interaction for fear you can’t follow conversations
- Asking people to repeat themselves constantly
These are only a few of the symptoms that could signify 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.