For anybody dealing with hearing impairment, the message is straightforward: Get a hearing aid.
Why? A recent study found that people were less likely to develop health problems like anxiety, dementia, depression, and dangerous falls if they began using hearing aids within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss. While this doesn’t prove hearing aids stop these health problems, their use is linked to fewer health issues. Results from the study revealed 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.
Refrain From Making Excuses
It’s important to consider that regarding your health, these figures might seem low but they’re still considerable. Prior research has revealed a connection 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 getting hearing aids. Why not? Not having the correct insurance to cover some of the costs is a typical issue. And the cost may still seem too high even for those who have insurance.
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. Most individuals simply turn up the volume to solve the dilemma and don’t consider hearing loss as much of a problem.
While it might seem as if hearing loss is inevitable as you get older, there’s more to it than that, and cranking up the volume is not the correct solution.
Healthy Hearing is Important
Obviously, a principal element of communication is the ability to hear. If your failure to communicate causes you to miss a critical instruction by your doctor or direction by a family member, that’s a problem. As a result, you may not be able to convey your symptoms and concerns.
Other issues associated with a lack of effective communication are less apparent. If attempting to have phone conversations leaves you feeling frustrated and embarrassed, you might begin to lose touch with people in your support system. Not being able to hear might even lead to less brain stimulus, and we all recognize that exercising your mind can help combat dementia.
The Benefits of Hearing Aids
Buying a hearing aid isn’t only about severe, long-term concerns. Your long term wellbeing will definitely improve but hearing aids will instantly improve your quality of life. If you can hear and take part in conversations, it decreases your chances of feeling isolated and allows you to partake more fully in your social life. When you can communicate intelligibly with your physician, you can accurately share the health concerns you are experiencing and comprehend your doctor’s treatment plan to reduce your anxiety even more.
Do I need hearing aids? If you are dealing with any of the following symptoms, the answer is yes:
- Asking people to repeat what they said constantly
- Being so intimidated that you won’t be able to follow conversations, you stay away from social interaction
- Watching TV at very loud volume
- Background sound makes it difficult to hear when somebody is talking to you
These are only some of the symptoms that may indicate you need to look into a hearing aid. If any of them sound familiar, ask us if a hearing aid might be right for you.