Wearing Hearing Aids May Lower Mortality Rate in Adults with Hearing Impairment
A study published in the Lancet Journal earlier this year has shown the benefits of early hearing aid adoption to be a factor in a lower risk of mortality if you suffer hearing loss.
The study was based on results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2012, which they then crossed with data on the mortality rate in the participants to 2019.
Participants were organised into three categories by answering the question, “Have you ever worn a hearing aid?” Never, regular, and non-regular hearing aid users:
- Never – Participants that answered ‘No’.
- Regular – Participants that answered ‘Yes’, and (1) at least once a week, once a day, or almost always; (2) wearing a hearing aid for at least 5 hours per week, or at least half the time, usually, or always.
- Non-Regular – Participants that did not meet the requirements for ‘regular’ but had hearing aid use.
The finding that there is a potential long-term benefit of hearing aid use is not a new one, but this study of just under 10,000 participants in one of the largest data sets to be used.
So, you may wonder how hearing aids can improve my health, but it becomes quite obvious after some thought. With hearing loss comes the many difficulties that a person needs to deal with on a daily basis. Just social interactions can become an obstacle for the most mundane of tasks such as shopping and speaking in a public area. Not to mention the problems that can arise while working where being able to hear well, may be a safety factor.
The researchers in this paper (and others similar) believe that the use of hearing aids can improve mental health and help prevent the onset of depression. It makes sense that when a lot of the daily obstacles that someone with hearing loss encounters are removed, that life gets easier and better. The damage to someone’s hearing may cause them to do fewer activities or isolate themselves from social interactions, all things we know that can lead to poor mental and physical health.
So, what to take from this?
If you are on the fence about using a hearing aid; then have a think about the long-term effects of not having a hearing aid fitted. The decision to use a hearing aid might just be the factor you need to live a healthier, more enjoyable life!
Are you a pensioner, and think you may need a hearing aid?
Stay Tuned Hearing is a provider for the Hearing Services Program (HSP), which allows pensioners that are eligible to have a fully subsidised hearing check, and hearing aid if found necessary.
For more information on how the hearing services program works for pensioners (and how we can help), check out our web page here -> Pensioner Hearing Services Program.
The HSP also offers the same service to veterans and NDIS members!
Stay Tuned Hearing Clinic
Stay Tuned Hearing are specialists in the audiological field.
Being an independent hearing aid dispenser, we source and service all leading major manufacturers to provide the right fit for your hearing needs. We provide professional and unbiased advice.
We also offer 30-day no-obligation/money-back guarantee if you find that the hearing device is not suited for your needs.
Additionally, we provide a 3-year warranty and 12 months free servicing on your hearing and hearing aids.
Reference
Association between hearing aid use and mortality in adults with hearing loss in the USA: a mortality follow-up study of a cross-sectional cohort
Janet S Choi, MD – Meridith E Adams, MD – Eileen M Crimmins, PhD – Frank R Lin, MD – Jennifer A Ailshire, PhD
Published: January 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00232-5
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(23)00232-5/fulltext