For anyone experiencing hearing loss, the message is simple: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people who got hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss were less likely to develop dementia, depression, anxiety, and dangerous falls than those who did not get hearing aids. While this doesn’t prove hearing aids prevent these health problems, their use is associated with fewer health problems. Results from the study demonstrated that hearing aid users were 18% less likely to develop dementia, 11% less likely to develop depression or anxiety, and 13% less likely to have a serious fall.
Stop The Excuses
It’s worthwhile to consider that when it comes to your health, these numbers may appear low but they’re still considerable. Prior studies have demonstrated a correlation between hearing loss and other significant health problems, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, worsening problem. It’s important to note that many individuals diagnosed with hearing loss don’t bother buying hearing aids. Why not? Not having the correct insurance to cover some of the costs is a typical issue. Even among people who have insurance, the cost might be too high.
Others go through the motions, getting fitted for hearing aids and bringing them home only to leave them in the case because using them feels like too much of an inconvenience. Most individuals just turn up the volume to solve the dilemma and don’t consider hearing loss as much of a problem.
While it may seem like hearing loss is unavoidable as you get older, there’s more to it than that, and turning up the volume is not the right answer.
The Importance of Healthy Hearing
Clearly, a principal element of communication is the ability to hear. If your inability to communicate causes you to miss an important instruction by your doctor or direction by a family member, that’s a problem. Consequently, communicating your symptoms and concerns will be a challenge.
Other issues linked to a lack of reliable communication are less obvious. 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 out of embarrassment and frustration. And clearly, your chance of developing dementia is higher if your brain doesn’t receive enough stimulus which occurs when you are unable to hear.
The Benefits of Hearing Aids
Getting a hearing aid isn’t only about severe, long-term worries. Your long term outlook will definitely improve but hearing aids will immediately improve your quality of life. If you can hear and engage in conversations, it decreases your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to participate more completely in your social life. When you can communicate clearly with your physician, you can accurately share the health problems you are experiencing and understand your doctor’s treatment plan to decrease your anxiety further.
Is it time to consider a hearing aid? If you have any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you avoid social interaction
- Watching TV at extreme volume
- Frequently needing people to repeat what they said
- Difficulty hearing the person you’re speaking to if there is background sound
These and potentially other symptoms could be an indication that it’s time to consider getting a hearing aid. Schedule a consultation with us to determine if a hearing aid is the correct option for you, particularly if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
