Hearing aids could benefit approximately 28 million people. What this means is that 28 million people could here their world better if they had hearing aids. But your hearing aids can also help you take advantage of some other health benefits.
As it turns out, something as easy as using your hearing aids could be good for your physical and mental health. Everything from a risk of falling to depression can be delayed or even prevented by these gadgets. Your hearing aids can literally help you stay on your feet.
Mental Health Advantages of Hearing Aids
The link between neglected hearing loss and cognitive decline is pretty well demonstrated by modern medical research. The current thinking is that, for a combination of social, mental, and physical causes, hearing loss can trigger an escalated risk of mental illness, like anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and dementia.
So it’s not surprising that the latest analyses has shown that hearing aids could have substantial mental health benefits.
Dementia Risks Decreased
Your chances of dementia can be decreased, based on one study, by almost 20%. And all you have to do to make the most of this amazing advantage is remember to wear your hearing every day.
In other studies, the arrival of dementia was delayed by as much as two years by using hearing aids. This is really inspiring and with more research done to duplicate and clarify these figures, we can come a long way in the battle against cognitive decline and illness.
Depression And Anxiety Can be Reduced
Anxiety and depression aren’t symptoms that are unique to those who have hearing loss. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that those with hearing loss are at a higher risk of developing both anxiety and depression as time passes.
Wearing your hearing aids can help you stay socially active and mentally connected. If those factors were contributing to depression and anxiety, they can help.
You’ll be Less Lonely
While it might not seem as dire or imperative as dementia, isolation can be a big problem for individuals who suffer from neglected hearing loss, caused by and exacerbating a sense of social isolation. That social isolation can cause significant changes to your disposition. So it can be a tremendous benefit if your hearing aids can help you continue to be socially active.
And this is a good reason why, for example, your hearing aid can help protect against conditions like depression. To a certain extent, all of these health concerns connect in some way.
The Physical Benefits of Hearing Aids
As your hearing impairment worsens, there is some evidence that you might be at a higher risk of stroke. But that specific research is undoubtedly on the preliminary side. The most obvious (and perceptible) physical benefit of hearing aids is a little simpler: you’ll fall less frequently.
There are a couple of reasons for this:
- Fall detection: Sometimes, it’s not the fall that’s perilous. Instead, it’s that you can’t get back up that produces possible danger. Many new models of hearing aids have fall detection as a standard feature. With particular settings equipped, when you take a tumble, a call will immediately be made to one of your pre-programmed emergency contacts so they know to check up on you.
- Situational awareness: With hearing aids, your situational awareness will be improved letting you steer clear of obstacles and avoid falling down. If your pet, for example, is zooming out to greet you, you will be able to hear them coming and will be ready for them to be under your feet.
As you get older falling down can have a devastating effect on your health. So avoiding falls (or minimizing the damage from falling) can be a major benefit that ripples throughout your overall health.
Be Sure to Wear Your Hearing Aids
These benefits, it’s worth pointing out, pertain to people who have hearing impairment. Hearing aids won’t, for instance, help somebody with healthy hearing avoid a fall.
But if you do suffer from hearing loss, the best thing you can do for your ears, and for the rest of your body, is to use your hearing aids.
