Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Picture this: You're strolling down a busy street, taking in the sights of the world around you. Suddenly, a crack in the sidewalk catches your foot and you're stumbling headlong into a fall. Depending on your age, something like that could have devastating, long-lasting consequences.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that each year, about three million older adults are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. These can range from broken arms to head injuries and hip fractures. Tragically, these falls also lead to about 32,000 deaths annually.
Now, what if this could have been prevented by something as simple as wearing a hearing aid? Well, recent studies suggest that consistent use of hearing aids might just be the unexpected secret weapon in the battle against falls, especially among older adults.
Consistent hearing aid use may prevent falls
One study published on PubMed Central surveyed 299 individuals who were all over 60 years old and had hearing loss in both ears. The study looked at fall prevalence and fall risk among hearing aid users and non-users. It also compared consistent hearing aid users — meaning they wore their hearing aids at least four hours a day for over a year — with inconsistent or non-users.
The results of the study found that the odds of a fall were reduced by 50% for those who wore hearing aids compared to those who didn't. What's more, those who consistently used their hearing aids showed even lower odds of falling and lower odds of being at risk for falls.
"These findings suggest that use of hearing aids-especially consistent hearing aid use-is associated with lower odds of experiencing a fall or being classified as at risk for falls in older individuals with hearing loss," the study concluded.
Why hearing aids help prevent falls
Even without the results of the study, it's easy to see why consistent hearing aid use could help you stay on your feet. When a person loses their hearing, their balance suffers as well.
An article from Johns Hopkins Medicine notes, "As you walk, your ears pick up subtle cues that help with balance. Hearing loss mutes these important signals."
Dr. Frank Lin, a Johns Hopkins expert and co-author of a hearing loss study that followed 639 adults for nearly 12 years adds, "[Hearing loss] also makes your brain work harder just to process sound. This subconscious multitasking may interfere with some of the mental processing needed to walk safely."
Wearing hearing aids means that your brain doesn't have to work as hard. You're more aware of your surroundings and able to hear others better, as well.
It's not just about preventing falls
Wearing hearing aids isn't just about hearing better; it's about living better. Aside from preventing falls, a hearing aid ensures that you're not missing out on conversations with loved ones. You can enjoy music and the sounds of nature. You can feel confident in social settings. Hearing aids make all of this possible simply by amplifying sounds and improving your ability to communicate effectively.
And it goes beyond immediate benefits as well. Beyond enhancing your hearing, the National Institutes of Health says that wearing hearing aids can prevent cognitive decline and reduce feelings of isolation.
Don't miss out on all the wonderful sounds that life has to offer. Embrace the opportunity to reconnect with the world around you and experience life to the fullest by seeing a qualified hearing healthcare provider to be fit with proper hearing technology and then consistently wearing those devices.
Treat your hearing loss as soon as possible
If you've experienced hearing loss or suspect your hearing isn't what it used to be, there's no harm in getting things checked out. In fact, it's better to act sooner rather than later if you think there may be a problem.
"The most obvious reason to get help early is that hearing problems can get worse if you ignore them," a WebMD article warns. "Sometimes damage can be permanent. There are tiny hairs inside your ears that send sound waves to your brain. If those hairs are damaged, they will never grow back. And if you're doing something that hurts your ears without realizing it, the sooner you find out the better."
The board-certified audiologists at Excellence in Audiology have helped thousands of people return to a fulfilling lifestyle by treating their hearing — and they can help you, too. To get more information and to request a free, no-pressure consultation, visit fallingseniors.com today.
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