Increasingly, research shows that hearing aids can do much more than just help you hear. They can also make you healthier. Hearing Aids Can Improve Your Mental Health and Prevent Depression. Studies have shown a correlation between hearing loss and depression.
When you can't follow conversations, especially when there is a lot of background noise, you start to isolate yourself and avoid activities and time with friends. Buying hearing aids so you can hear and understand what people are saying, even at places like parties and sporting events, means you can get your life back on track. Several studies have linked untreated hearing loss to an increased risk of developing dementia and a decline in cognitive functioning. The decrease appears to be greater for those who do not use hearing aids to correct hearing loss.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that reduced hearing loss can accelerate atrophy in the auditory areas of the brain, making it difficult to understand speech. The good news is that researchers have found that hearing aids help reduce atrophy while increasing hearing ability. Interesting new research further supports that treating hearing loss with hearing aids may delay cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. Find more COVID-19 testing centers in Maryland, gov.
Nearly 36 million adults in the U.S. UU. Have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids can help improve hearing and speech, especially in people with sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss in the inner ear due to damaged hair cells or a damaged auditory nerve).
Sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by viruses or bacteria, noise, injury, infection, aging, certain medications, birth defects, tumors, problems with blood circulation or high blood pressure, and stroke. These hearing aids come in plastic cases that fit in the outer ear. Generally used for mild to severe hearing loss, ITE hearing aids can be adapted to other technical hearing devices, such as the telephone coil, a mechanism used to improve sound during phone calls. However, its small size can make it difficult to make adjustments.
In addition, ITE hearing aids can be damaged by ear wax and drainage. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids Behind-the-ear hearing aids, as the name implies, are worn behind the ear. This type of hearing aid, which is in a case, attaches to a plastic mold inside the outer ear. These hearing aids are generally used for mild to severe hearing loss.
Poorly fitted BTE hearing aids can cause feedback, an annoying whistle, in the ear. However, all hearing aids can receive feedback. They are usually reserved for profound hearing loss, or if the other types of hearing aids don't fit, the hearing aids are attached to a belt or pocket and connected to the ear with a cable. The shape of the outer ear (deformed ears may not fit hearing aids behind the ear) Depth or length of the ear canal (ears that are too shallow may not fit in-ear hearing aids) The type and severity of hearing loss The person's manual dexterity in removing and inserting hearing aids The amount of wax buildup in the ear (excessive amounts of wax or moisture may prevent the use of in-ear headphones) Ears that require drainage may not be able to use certain models of hearing aids Be patient and give yourself time to get used to the hearing aid and the sound it produces.
Start in a quiet environment and gradually increase to noisier environments. Experience where and when the hearing aid works best for you. Keep a record of any questions and concerns you have and take them to your follow-up exam. Keep hearing aids away from heat and humidity.
Batteries need to be changed on a regular basis. Avoid using hairspray and other hair products when the hearing aid is in place. Turn off the headphones when they are not in use. Can hearing loss be improved with medical or surgical interventions? Which design will work best for my type of hearing loss? Can I try the hearing aids for a certain period of time? Do the hearing aids have a warranty and cover maintenance and repairs? Can my audiologist or otolaryngologist make adjustments and repairs? Can any other assistive technology devices be used with the hearing aids? Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Aids.
Scientific studies have found that the use of hearing aids reduces cognitive impairment and the risk of developing dementia. Adults, people with hearing loss were more likely to say they use antidepressants and anxiolytics, as well as mental health services. You might even get upset when friends and family tell you they think you should get a hearing check. A lack of understanding between you and your partner can lead to unnecessary arguments, and it's harder to communicate effectively when you're hard of hearing.
But when you can hear again with the help of a device such as a hearing aid, you gain greater independence and confidence to do more for yourself. According to the American Academy of Audiology, hearing loss is the third most common health condition in the United States, after heart disease and arthritis. But Abrams recalls that during his years in a Veterans Administration hospital, he saw men with gradual loss of their low-frequency hearing. It turns out that low-frequency hearing loss can be an indicator of an increased likelihood of stroke, peripheral vascular disease and heart attack.
Some people also find that being in crowded situations makes them nervous because they can't hear well. To reach this conclusion, a large team of researchers led by Elham Mahmoudi, a health economist at the University of Michigan, obtained five years of claims data across the country from a managed health care provider, finding nearly 115,000 seniors who met their criteria, a new diagnosis of hearing loss and no history during the previous year of the medical issues under study. You can often hear potential warning signs and precursors of problems before you see them, for example, cars approaching when you cross the road. Research in Iceland also linked untreated hearing loss in men to a higher likelihood of dying in the next five years, most often from heart disease.
If you suffer from hearing loss, you may not feel as safe when you are away from home, and this could cause you to lose independence. . .
