An apple a day, more laughter, and…hearing aids? A recent study suggests that hearing aids can significantly impact your longevity, something that we at Beltone have seen firsthand over our 80 years in treating hearing loss. What’s more, most of the 40 million adults with hearing loss are not using hearing aids! Both the hearing and health benefits received from hearing aids are undeniable, and now a groundbreaking study is one step closer to proving it.
Armed with prior research from John Hopkins University, the study unveils a deep connection between hearing loss and various health issues, ranging from cognitive decline to an increased risk of frailty and falls. Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, it suggests that restoring hearing loss with hearing aids may not only improve the quality of life but could also extend it.
Dr. Janet Choi, an otolaryngologist with Keck Medicine of USC, led the study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, tracking nearly 1,900 adults with documented hearing loss. The surprising revelation was that those who regularly used hearing aids had a remarkable 24% lower risk of mortality compared to those who never used them. This significant difference in mortality risk underscores the potential life-saving impact of addressing hearing loss through the use of hearing aids.
While the researchers had anticipated some positive effects, the magnitude of the difference in mortality risk took them by surprise. Even after accounting for factors such as age, ethnicity, education, and medical history, the association between regular hearing aid use and increased longevity held strong.
Choi emphasizes the stunning underutilization of hearing aids, with only 12% of people with hearing loss using them regularly according to her study. Another striking finding revealed that individuals with hearing aids, who failed to use them regularly, faced a mortality risk equivalent to those who never used hearing aids at all.
Drawing from personal experience, Choi, born with hearing loss in one ear, highlights the transformative impact of hearing aids. Initially resistant, she now acknowledges the profound difference they make, especially in her surgical profession where communication is paramount.
Choi recommends a daily habit of wearing hearing aids for at least 30 consecutive days for new users to fully adapt and experience the benefits. Despite the barriers to hearing aid use, such as cost and stigma, technological advancements have made these devices more affordable and user-friendly than ever before. This newsworthy publication adds to the mounting evidence that hearing aids are not just about restoring sound but potentially extending lives. If you have hearing aids tucked away, Dr. Choi’s advice is clear: give them another try. The benefits may not only be heard but could be life-changing.
