For anyone suffering from hearing impairment, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study revealed that people were less likely to develop health issues such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and dangerous falls if they began using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing impairment. While these health concerns 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 suffer a dangerous fall.
Avoid Making Excuses
If these numbers seem low to you, it’s essential to recall that your health is at risk, and every little bit counts. Prior studies have demonstrated a connection between hearing loss and other significant health problems, but this study verified it’s an ongoing, declining problem. It’s significant to remember that many individuals diagnosed with hearing loss don’t bother getting hearing aids. Why not? Not having the correct insurance to cover some of the expenses is a typical problem. And the cost might still be too high even with insurance.
Others go through the motions, getting fitted for hearing aids and taking them home only to leave them in the case because using them seems like too much of an inconvenience. Most people simply turn up the volume to solve the dilemma and don’t think about hearing loss as much of a problem.
While it may seem as if hearing loss is inescapable as you get older, there’s more to it than that, and cranking up the volume is not the correct solution.
The Value of Healthy Hearing
Clearly, a major element of communication is the ability to hear. If your failure to communicate causes you to miss an essential instruction by your doctor or direction by a family member, that’s a problem. As a result, you might not be capable of conveying your concerns and symptoms.
There are also some less obvious problems associated with inadequate communication. If trying to have a conversation on the phone leaves you feeling frustrated and embarrassed, you may begin to lose touch with individuals in your support system. Not being able to hear may even result in less brain stimulation, and we all know that exercising your mind can help fend off dementia.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Getting a hearing aid isn’t all about serious, long-term worries. Your long term outlook will certainly improve but hearing aids will instantly enhance your quality of life. You will have a more satisfying social life and feel less isolated if you can hear and participate in conversations. You will decrease your anxiety even further when you are able to precisely communicate your health concerns with your doctor and understanding his advice for treatment.
Is it time to consider a hearing aid? If you are dealing with any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Watching TV at very loud volume
- Background noise makes it difficult to hear when someone is talking to you
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you avoid social situations
- Asking people to repeat what they said constantly
These and possibly other symptoms might 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 may be the right choice for you.