For anyone suffering from hearing loss, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study found that people were less likely to develop health problems like anxiety, dementia, depression, and dangerous falls if they started using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While these health concerns aren’t proven to be eliminated by hearing aids, fewer health issues have been connected to their use. 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 depression and anxiety.
Avoid Making Excuses
It’s worthwhile to consider that when it comes to your health, these figures may appear low but they’re still considerable. Previous studies have revealed a link between hearing loss and other significant health issues, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, worsening issue. But many people who have hearing loss don’t have it treated or ever use hearing aids. Why not? Not having the appropriate insurance to cover some of the costs is a common issue. And the expense 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 seems like too much hassle to wear them, so they don’t. Most people simply turn up the volume to solve the dilemma and don’t think about hearing loss as much of an issue.
While it may seem as if hearing loss is unavoidable as you age, there’s more to it than that, and cranking up the volume is not the best solution.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Clearly, a principal aspect of communication is the ability to hear. Without the ability to communicate properly, you may not comprehend questions asked by your physicians or family members. As a result, you might not be able to convey your symptoms and concerns.
Other problems associated with a lack of reliable communication are less apparent. When you strain to hear and follow a conversation on the phone, you might lose touch with some of the people in your support system out of embarrassment and frustration. And obviously, your chance of developing dementia is higher if your brain doesn’t get enough stimulus which happens when you are unable to hear.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Buying a hearing aid isn’t only about serious, long-term concerns. Using a hearing aid will immediately improve your quality of life, in addition to your long-term outlook. You will have a more fulfilling social life and feel less isolated if you can hear and participate in conversations. When you can communicate intelligibly with your physician, you can effectively share the health issues you are experiencing and understand your doctor’s treatment plan to decrease your anxiety even more.
Is it time to look into a hearing aid? The answer is yes if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Watching TV at extreme volume
- Asking others to repeat what they said frequently
- Background sound makes it hard to hear when somebody is speaking to you
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you avoid social interaction
These and possibly other symptoms could be a signal that it’s time to consider getting a hearing aid. Come see us to find out if a hearing aid is the correct option for you, particularly if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
