It’s common knowledge by now that there’s a correlation between hearing loss and its direct negative
impact on one’s overall health. Communication troubles, isolation, depression, fatigue, risk of falls and
cognitive decline have a higher occurrence in seniors with hear hearing loss. That’s something you may
have already read about. But one thing you might not be aware of is that life expectancy can also be
reduced by not treating hearing loss. One simple solution to increasing your longevity is hear hearing aid
technology.
Hearing loss is experienced by 26.7 million Americans over the age of 50, however, only one in seven
use aid hearing tools. About one-third of U.S. adults aged 65 to 74 suffer from some form of hearing loss
and affordable hearing aid technology can help.
Medicare and most health insurance providers still treat hearing loss as a normal part of aging, not a
medical problem, and don’t cover the costs of a cheap hearing aid or even a routine hearing test. That’s
why an average pair of hearing aids can set you back over $3,000.
But about a decade ago, scientists began focusing more on the potential harms of hearing loss as well as
loneliness. Before long, it became clear that both conditions had enormous medical consequences, with
ramifications that may lead to other medical disorders.
A study published last year in JAMA Otolaryngology found that loneliness is associated with high blood
pressure, elevated stress and weakened immune systems. Their research found that these feelings of
isolation also raise the risk of dementia by 40% and the odds of early death by 26%.
Meanwhile, untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia by 50%, depression by 40% and falls
by 30%. The study found that people wearing hearing aids could delay the onset of dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease.
Research conducted by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging
concluded that hearing loss is a key factor in falls, and mild hearing loss can result in someone being
three times as likely to fall. Because the effects of hearing loss are directly impacting your spatial
awareness, your posture and body control, using affordable hearing aid tools will reduce your chances
of falling.
It also shows that those with a hearing impairment have poorer balance, worse walking endurance, and
faster declines in physical function over time compared to those with normal hearing. The worse a
person’s hearing, the worse their physical function. “Collectively, these findings suggest that individuals
with hearing impairment may be at greater risk for physical function limitations.” Simply, an ear hearing
aid reduces the risk of falls and will slow overall physical decline.
The researchers at Johns Hopkins also note that other problems, including a greater risk of stroke and
heart disease, were seen in older people who experienced hearing loss. Many cases of hearing loss are
tied to heart disease since high blood pressure affects the blood vessels in the ear canal. When you have
shrunken blood vessels, the body needs to work harder to push the blood through which results in high
blood pressure.
In a difficult or stressful situation, if you are not able to hear warnings to avoid imminent danger, like
oncoming traffic, you are likely to have a higher risk of injury or accident. Therefore, hearing better can
reduce your chances of hospitalization. Results published in the journal of the American Medical
Association paper concluded that people with mild hearing loss were more likely to be hospitalized
compared to individuals with normal hearing.
Hearing loss will increase your risk of isolation, which may lead to mental health issues such as cognitive
decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s, leading to other life-threatening diseases like balance disorders, high
blood pressure, heart disease and a higher risk of hospitalization, hence reducing your overall life span.
Unfortunately, hearing loss is a degenerative condition, where it deteriorates, if not maintained, the
downward spiral that can occur with hearing loss means that these comorbidities are possibly amplified,
if not accelerated.
There are several solutions available to manage hearing loss, but as is shown by research, it is best to
deal with these issues early before they affect and degrade your general health. Hearing aids are one of
the simplest forms of treatment that can be very effective in dealing with your hearing loss, and one can
easily contact an audiologist online and check out hear aid reviews for personalized solutions.
There is hope. A small study even found that wearing hearing aids “may reverse compensatory changes
in cortical resource allocation”—in other words, negative changes in your brain may improve with
consistent hearing aid use. Brain shrinkage may slow or stop, and your brain may begin to pick up on
sound signals once more.
Everyone wants to lead a healthy, happy and longer life by eating right and exercising. However, your
hearing health also plays a crucial factor in helping you live your best life. A study conducted by the
National Council on Aging found that 42% of hearing aid users participate in social activities compared to
32% of people with untreated hearing issues. Combine those healthy living habits with an emphasis on
your hearing health, as they are both important to extending your lifespan.
One company who is trying to make hearing care services more affordable and accessible, is RxHearing.
With over 100 years of combined experience, the RxHearing team delivers a is a comprehensive hearing
care solution to its customers and partners. The provide Free professional online hearing tests, their
Licensed Hearing Specialists evaluate those results via Free consultations with you, then ship FDA
registered hearing aids to you based on your hearing loss needs.
OurSeniors.Net now produces a senior online & print magazine in six different regions serving 25
counties. We are among the most trusted senior living resources available to Florida citizens. Check out
our website and don’t forget to donate to our non-profit so that we can continue to bring you
entertaining and informative topics that makes the senior lifestyle more fulfilling.
