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 problems like anxiety, dementia, depression, and dangerous falls if they began wearing hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While these health issues aren’t proven to be prevented by hearing aids, fewer health problems have been linked to their use. 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.
Refrain From Making Excuses
It’s important to consider that regarding your health, these numbers may appear low but they’re still considerable. Prior research has revealed a connection between hearing loss and other significant health problems, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, declining issue. 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 expense may still seem too high even for those who have insurance.
Some people actually go in and get fitted but when they get their hearing aid home, it feels like too much trouble to use them, so they don’t. Most people simply turn up the volume to solve the problem and don’t think about hearing loss as much of a problem.
While it may seem as if hearing loss is unavoidable as you get older, there’s more to it than that, and turning up the volume is not the correct solution.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Hearing is clearly a large part 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 might not be able to convey your concerns and symptoms.
Other problems related to a lack of effective communication are less apparent. 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 may even result in less brain stimulus, and we all know that exercising your mind can help fight against dementia.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Serious long-term challenges aren’t all that getting hearing aids is about. Your long term wellbeing will certainly improve but hearing aids will immediately improve your quality of life. You will have a more satisfying social life and feel less isolated if you can hear and engage in conversations. You will decrease your anxiety even further when you are able to precisely communicate your health issues with your physician and comprehending his advice for treatment.
Is it time to consider a hearing aid? The answer is yes if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Turning the volume of the TV up very high
- Asking people to repeat themselves constantly
- Being so afraid you won’t be able to follow conversations, you avoid social situations
- Background sound makes it hard to hear when someone is speaking to you
These are only some of the symptoms that might signify you should look into a hearing aid. Come see us to determine if a hearing aid is the right option for you, particularly if any of these symptoms sound familiar.