A miracle cure that can help lengthen your lifespan is something pretty much everybody would want. As a matter of fact, a quick internet search will probably return thousands of such miracle cures (if not more), each promising to help you have a longer life thanks to one simple trick. The healthcare community doesn’t endorse the vast majority of these alleged cures as they have no real medical basis.
But there are some legitimate things you can do to help you get a longer lifespan. For instance, eating a healthy diet (particularly one low in sodium and saturated fats) or quitting smoking can dramatically affect your expected lifespan.
Using hearing aids to manage hearing loss is also in this category. That’s according to recent research published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, a multidisciplinary publication committed to healthy aging. So, can hearing aids help you live longer? According to this research, it’s a distinct possibility.
Is hearing loss a health risk?
The relationship between your hearing health and your general wellness isn’t necessarily new to researchers. The fact that untreated hearing loss can significantly increase your chances of developing dementia is well established, for example.
Many individuals, however, are not aware of these risks. They consider hearing loss to be an isolated hassle, something that only impacts one very particular aspect of their life. But when neglected, hearing loss can pose bigger health concerns than a simple inconvenience.
Is there a connection between hearing aids and lifespan?
Typically, wearing hearing aids as often as possible will be the main way to treat hearing loss. from this perspective, do hearing aids reduce the risk of early death? There is a definite possibility, according to this recent research, that hearing aids can reduce your risk of early death. There is a 24% reduction in mortality risk for individuals with hearing loss who regularly use hearing aids, as reported by this study. The participants in this study, in other words, who used their hearing aids, tended to live longer.
Hearing aid benefits
The research published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity isn’t exactly definitive proof that hearing aids will help you have a longer life (though the study does strongly suggest a connection). But we already have a large body of evidence about the many benefits of using hearing aids and this just adds to that body.
- You can prevent accidents and injuries by being more aware of your environment.
- Wearing your hearing aids can help increase cognition. This means that you (and your brain) will likely be less tired and healthier over time.
- It will be easier to function in social situations. This will help your overall well-being by decreasing your feelings of social separation.
- Hearing aids can help you enjoy day-to-day moments with friends and family, from going out to eat with colleagues to asking your grandchildren about their school day.
These are improvements to your quality of life that you’ll experience every time you wear your hearing aids. These are all practical reasons to use hearing aids to manage your hearing loss.
Hearing is a major part of your health and wellness
Scientists have recognized that the health of your hearing plays a significant role in your overall wellness. Your risk of early mortality can be decreased by managing any hearing loss you may have with hearing aids.
If you suspect that you might have some amount of hearing loss, it’s time to call us for a consultation.