For anybody suffering from hearing loss, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were less likely to develop health problems such as anxiety, dementia, depression, and dangerous falls if they started using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss. While these health problems aren’t proven to be eliminated by hearing aids, fewer health issues have been linked to their use. The study shows that seniors who wore hearing aids had a 13% less likely chance of having a serious fall. They also had an 18% less likely chance of developing dementia and an 11% less likelihood of developing anxiety and depression.
Avoid Making Excuses
If these figures seem low to you, it’s essential to recall that your health is at stake, and every little bit counts. Previous studies have shown a connection 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? For many, the lack of insurance coverage is an issue. And the expense might still seem too high even for those who have insurance.
Others go through the motions, getting fitted for hearing aids and bringing them home only to let them sit in the case because wearing them feels like too much of an inconvenience. Many people don’t view hearing loss as a major concern because they can turn up the TV volume to solve the problem.
Higher volume on the TV won’t solve the problem, though, and while hearing loss might seem to be an unavoidable part of growing older, there is a lot more to it.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Clearly, a primary element 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 a problem. Consequently, communicating your concerns and symptoms will be a challenge.
Other problems associated with a lack of effective communication are less apparent. 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. Not being able to hear may even lead to less brain stimulation, and we all know that exercising your mind can help fend off dementia.
Hearing Aid Advantages
Serious long-term challenges aren’t all that getting hearing aids is about. Your long term outlook will certainly improve but hearing aids will instantly enhance your quality of life. You will have a more fulfilling social life and feel less isolated if you can hear and participate in conversations. When you can communicate clearly with your physician, you can effectively share the health problems you are experiencing and comprehend your doctor’s treatment plan to decrease your anxiety even more.
Should I get hearing aids? The answer is yes if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you stay away from social situations
- Frequently needing people to repeat what they said
- Turning the volume of the TV up very high
- Trouble hearing the person you are speaking to if there’s background noise
These are only some of the symptoms that could reveal you need to look into a hearing aid. If any of them sound familiar, ask us if a hearing aid might be the right option for you.