For anyone suffering from hearing loss, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were less likely to develop health issues like 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 issues, their use is associated with fewer health issues. The study reveals 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.
Stop The Excuses
It’s important to keep in mind that regarding your health, these numbers may appear low but they’re still considerable. Prior research has revealed a correlation between hearing loss and other serious health issues, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, worsening issue. But many people who have hearing loss don’t address it or ever use hearing aids. Why not? Not having the appropriate insurance to cover some of the costs is a typical issue. And the expense may still seem too high even for those who have insurance.
Some individuals actually go in and get fitted but when they bring their hearing aid home, it seems like too much hassle to wear them, so they don’t. Many people don’t view hearing loss as a major concern because they can turn up the TV volume to solve the problem.
Higher volume on the TV won’t solve the issue, however, and while hearing loss might seem to be an inevitable part of growing older, there is a lot more to it.
The Value of Healthy Hearing
Obviously, a primary aspect of communication is the ability to hear. If your failure to communicate causes you to miss a critical instruction by your doctor or guidance by a family member, that’s a problem. As a result, you may not be able to convey your concerns and symptoms.
There are also some less apparent issues related to inadequate communication. When you struggle 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. And obviously, your likelihood of developing dementia is higher if your brain doesn’t get enough stimulus which occurs when you can’t hear.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Serious long-term challenges are not all that wearing hearing aids is about. Your long term outlook will definitely improve but hearing aids will instantly enhance your quality of life. If you can hear and participate in conversations, it decreases your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to partake more fully in your social life. You will minimize your anxiety even further when you are able to precisely communicate your health concerns with your doctor and understanding his guidance for treatment.
Is it time to look into a hearing aid? If you have any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Background noise makes it difficult to hear when someone is speaking to you
- Turning the volume of the TV way up
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you stay away from social situations
- Asking others to repeat what they said frequently
These are only some of the symptoms that might indicate you need to consider a hearing aid. Come see us to determine if a hearing aid is the best option for you, particularly if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.