For anybody dealing with hearing impairment, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study found that people were less likely to develop health issues such as anxiety, dementia, depression, 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 problems, their use is connected with 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 depression and anxiety.
Stop The Excuses
If these numbers seem low to you, it’s important to remember that your health is at risk, and every little bit counts. Previous studies have shown a link between hearing loss and other significant health problems, but this study proved it’s an ongoing, worsening issue. But many people who have hearing impairment don’t have it treated or ever use hearing aids. Why not? Not having the appropriate insurance to cover some of the expenses is a common problem. Even among people who have insurance, the expense may seem too high.
Some individuals actually go in and get fitted but when they get their hearing aid home, it feels like too much trouble 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 a problem.
Louder volume on the TV won’t solve the issue, however, and while hearing loss may seem to be an inescapable part of growing older, there is much more to it.
The Value of Healthy Hearing
Obviously, a principal aspect of communication is the ability to hear. If your inability to communicate causes you to miss an important instruction by your doctor or guidance by a family member, that’s an issue. Consequently, communicating your concerns and symptoms will be difficult.
There are also some less apparent issues associated with inadequate communication. If trying to have a conversation on the phone leaves you feeling embarrassed and frustrated, you may start to lose touch with people in your support system. And obviously, your likelihood of developing dementia is higher if your brain doesn’t receive enough stimulus which occurs when you are unable to hear.
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 instantly improve your quality of life. If you can hear and participate in conversations, it lowers your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to participate more completely in your social life. You will decrease your anxiety even further when you are capable of accurately communicating your health issues with your doctor 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:
- Keeping away from social interaction for fear you can’t follow conversations
- Constantly wanting people to repeat themselves
- Watching TV at extreme volume
- Background sound makes it difficult to hear when someone is speaking to you
These are only some of the symptoms that may signify you need to look into a hearing aid. Schedule a consultation with us to find out if a hearing aid is the correct option for you, particularly if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.