For anyone dealing with hearing impairment, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study found that individuals who got hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss were less likely to develop depression, anxiety, dementia, and hazardous falls than people who did not get hearing aids. While these health issues 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 anxiety and depression.
Stop The Excuses
It’s important to consider that regarding your health, these numbers may seem low but they’re still significant. Previous studies have revealed a connection between hearing loss and other serious health problems, but this study proved it’s an ongoing, worsening problem. It’s significant to remember that many people diagnosed with hearing loss don’t bother getting hearing aids. Why not? For many, the lack of insurance coverage is an issue. Even among people with insurance, the cost might seem too high.
Some people actually go in and get fitted but when they bring their hearing aid home, it feels like too much trouble to use them, so they don’t. Many individuals don’t view hearing loss as a major concern because they can turn the volume of the TV up to solve the problem.
While it might seem like hearing loss is unavoidable as you age, there’s more to it than that, and cranking the volume up is not the correct solution.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Obviously, a principal aspect of communication is the ability to hear. Without the ability to communicate precisely, you might not comprehend questions asked by your physicians or family members. Consequently, communicating your concerns and symptoms will be challenging.
Other problems associated with a lack of effective communication are less obvious. When you strain to hear and keep up with a conversation on the phone, you may lose touch with some of the people in your support system out of frustration or embarrassment. Not being able to hear may even lead to less brain stimulus, and we all recognize that exercising your mind can help fight against dementia.
The Advantages of Hearing Aids
Extreme long-term concerns aren’t all that getting hearing aids is about. Wearing a hearing aid will immediately enhance your quality of life, in addition to your long-term outlook. If you can hear and participate in conversations, it minimizes your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to participate more completely in your social life. When you can communicate intelligibly with your physician, you can effectively share the health problems you are experiencing and understand your doctor’s treatment plan to reduce your anxiety further.
Do I need hearing aids? If you are dealing with any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you avoid social situations
- Watching TV at very high volume
- Constantly needing people to repeat themselves
- Background noise makes it hard to hear when somebody is speaking to you
These are only some of the symptoms that could indicate you need to consider a hearing aid. Come see us to determine if a hearing aid is the right choice for you, especially if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.