For anybody experiencing hearing impairment, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were not as likely to develop health issues like anxiety, dementia, depression, and dangerous falls if they started wearing hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While these health issues aren’t proven to be eliminated by hearing aids, fewer health problems have been linked to their use. Results from the study showed 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 dangerous fall.
Stop The Excuses
If these numbers seem low to you, it’s significant to recall that your health is at stake, and every little bit counts. Previous studies have demonstrated a connection between hearing loss and other significant health issues, but this study proved it’s an ongoing, worsening issue. But many individuals who have hearing loss don’t address it or ever use hearing aids. Why not? Not having the appropriate insurance to cover some of the expenses is a typical issue. Even among people with insurance, the cost may seem too high.
Others go through the motions, getting fitted for hearing aids and taking 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 issue because they can turn the volume of the TV up to solve the problem.
Louder volume on the TV won’t solve the problem, though, and while hearing loss may seem to be an inescapable part of growing older, there is far more to it.
The Importance of Healthy Hearing
Clearly, a major element of communication is the ability to hear. If your inability to communicate causes you to miss a critical 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 obvious problems connected with inadequate communication. If attempting to have phone conversations leaves you feeling frustrated and embarrassed, you may start to lose touch with people in your support system. Not being able to hear might even result in less brain stimulus, and we all recognize that exercising your mind can help fend off dementia.
Hearing Aid Advantages
Extreme long-term concerns are not all that getting hearing aids is about. Wearing a hearing aid will instantly improve your quality of life, as well as your long-term wellbeing. You will have a more gratifying social life and feel less isolated if you can hear and engage in conversations. When you can communicate clearly with your doctor, you can effectively share the health concerns you are experiencing and comprehend your doctor’s treatment plan to reduce 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:
- Background sound makes it tough to hear when someone is talking to you
- Asking people to repeat themselves constantly
- Keeping away from social interaction because you’re afraid you can’t follow conversations
- Watching TV at very loud volume
These and possibly other symptoms could be a signal that it’s time to consider getting a hearing aid. If any of them sound familiar, ask us if a hearing aid might be the right option for you.
