Everybody loves the idea of a miracle cure that helps increase your lifespan. In fact, a brief internet search will probably return thousands of such miracle remedies (if not more), each promising to help you have a longer life thanks to one simple trick. The vast majority of these alleged cures have no medical foundation and are not endorsed by the healthcare community.
But there are some legit things you can do to help you achieve a longer lifespan. For instance, eating a healthy diet (specifically one low in sodium and saturated fats) or quitting smoking can dramatically affect your expected lifespan.
Using hearing aids to treat hearing loss is also in this category. And a multidisciplinary journal that focuses on healthy aging, called The Lancet Healthy Longevity, has recently released research that reinforces this. So, will wearing hearing aids to manage hearing loss help improve longevity? According to this research, it’s a distinct possibility.
Is hearing loss a health threat?
Researchers have been aware of the link between overall wellness and hearing health for quite some time. The fact that untreated hearing loss can significantly raise your risk of developing dementia is well established, for instance.
Many individuals, however, are unaware of these risks. They consider hearing loss to be an isolated inconvenience, something that only influences one very specific facet of their life. But the reality is that hearing loss is more than a simple nuisance, particularly when neglected.
The connection between longevity and hearing loss
In most instances, treatment for hearing loss means wearing hearing aids as often as possible. In this context, do hearing aids decrease the risk of early death? There is a definite possibility, according to this recent study, that hearing aids can reduce your risk of early death. The study found that day-to-day hearing aid use was connected to a 24% reduction in mortality risk. The participants in this study, in other words, who wore their hearing aids, tended to live longer.
The advantages of hearing aids
Although The Lancet Healthy Longevity study strongly suggests a connection between hearing health and longevity, it doesn’t definitely prove that wearing hearing aids will help you live longer. But we already have a large body of evidence about the many benefits of using hearing aids and this just adds to that body.
- Cognition can be improved by wearing hearing aids. This means that you (and your brain) will probably be less exhausted and healthier over time.
- From enjoying tender moments with your grandchildren to participating in a business dinner, daily situations with friends, family, and colleagues will be easier.
- You can prevent accidents and injuries by being more aware of your environment.
- It will be easier to function in social situations. This will help your overall well-being by lessening your feelings of social separation.
These are improvements to your quality of life that you’ll feel each time you wear your hearing aids. For these reasons alone, hearing aids are an important part of managing your hearing loss.
Your total health and well-being depend heavily on healthy hearing
Scientists have established that the health of your hearing plays a significant role in your total 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 give us a call for a consultation.