Longer Life Among the Many Benefits of Hearing Aids

Could your hearing aids help you live longer? A recent study says “yes”. Regular hearing aid use may reduce the risk of early death by 24%.

How can these little devices help you live a longer life? The connections are surprising, but convincing enough that you’ll be ready to schedule your next audiology appointment right away. Let’s explore the benefits of hearing aids.

Beyond Clear Conversation

Better hearing goes a long way towards an improved quality of life. It supports brain health, balance, and emotional wellbeing.

When people think about the health benefits of hearing aids, their minds typically turn to clearer conversations, better TV volume, and fewer “what?” moments. But beyond effective communication, hearing aids can be directly tied to longevity.

According to a new study from the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, individuals who regularly wear hearing aids reduce their risk of early death by up to 24% compared to those with untreated hearing loss. This research offers compelling evidence that the benefits of hearing aids go beyond improved sound. Hearing aids give you better health.

What’s the connection between hearing aids and lifespan? How can residents in Anne Arundel County (and beyond) benefit from this finding?

Untreated Hearing Loss Doesn’t Just Affect Your Ears

If you, or a loved one, have been putting off getting help for hearing loss, you may be surprised to learn that even mild hearing loss can impact the health of your entire body.

At Anne Arundel Audiology, we often see firsthand the benefits of new hearing aids for our patients. Clients show big improvements mentally, emotionally, and physically once they begin using hearing aids consistently. Dr. Britney Ometz, owner and provider, has a sure goal: “That’s why at Anne Arundel Audiology we want our patients to live longer and be healthy!”

Hearing loss is linked to a broad range of health risks, including social isolation, depression, dementia, and falls. Each of these conditions alone is associated with a shorter life. When you add them all together, you get a powerful picture of why hearing health is so intertwined with whole body health.

Hearing loss can also cause us to withdraw from professional situations and hold back on career opportunities. Hearing loss has a ripple effect on our job performance, personal growth, professional success, and social life. All of these factors can impact the overall brain health of older adults.

Hearing Aids Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline is something we typically associate with aging, but we may not realize it’s also related to untreated hearing loss. When people struggle to hear others they may withdraw from conversations.

It can be embarrassing to mishear information or to ask people to repeat themselves multiple times. The embarrassment can cause people to lose confidence in communicating and, over time, disengage from the world around them.

When people stop participating in social events, they become isolated. Self-isolation leads to reduced brain stimulation, accelerating cognitive aging and decline. Many studies have shown that there’s a strong correlation between hearing loss and an increased dementia risk.

The good news is that wearing hearing aids can help slow the process. When you hear clearly, you stay mentally active and socially engaged. Mental stimulation and social interaction are both crucial factors for maintaining our brain health as we get older. You’ll enjoy better relationships and better cognitive health.

Here at Anne Arundel Audiology, we see new hearing aid users light up at their first appointment. Most folks can’t believe how much easier it is to follow conversations or how much they may have been missing out on!

Hearing Aids Help Prevent Depression and Social Isolation

Our social connections drive healthy aging. Those friendships and acquaintanceships boost our moods and brighten our lives. But beyond that, strong social ties tend to help us live longer and healthier lives.

Hearing loss can put a strain on social interactions, making them frustrating and exhausting. Many people with hearing loss start avoiding those interactions, casual conversations, and even social gatherings and family events. Social situations become less comfortable, and eventually feelings of isolation that resulted from these communication barriers can dissipate.

Avoidance doesn’t mean that you don’t care. Isolation can often be tied to the discomfort of feeling unable to “keep up” with conversation. Over time, the isolation adds up to loneliness and depression–factors that can reduce life expectancy.

When you use hearing aids, it feels like a whole new world opens up. They make it easier to stay connected and fully engage in conversations. Small joys, such as hearing grandkids’ voices or enjoying music again, can greatly improve emotional wellbeing. That emotional boost and greater confidence translate to a longer, more fulfilling life.

Better Hearing Means Better Balance

Folks are often surprised to learn that hearing is a significant factor in balance and fall prevention, but there is a clear link. When hearing is impaired, your brain works harder to process environmental sounds, which reduces your focus and mental energy, making it harder to stay balanced and react quickly to uneven terrain.

When we navigate throughout our world, we’re attuned to environmental cues, for example, footsteps, car noises, or someone calling out our name. These cues are crucial to helping us stay safe. Our brains can focus on posture and movement, so we’re at lower risk of falling.

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths of adults over 65. Any positive step to reduce the risk of falls is worth exploring. One way is to simply try wearing hearing aids. Even slight hearing loss can have negative effects on our safety. 

Many of our patients at Anne Arundel Audiology tell us they feel steadier and more confident when they begin to wear their hearing devices. It’s a subtle shift, and one that we may not even realize, but hearing aids help us safely and independently navigate the world around us.

Hearing Aids Restore Joy in the Little Things

Health and long life are important, but avoiding disease and injury isn’t the whole point. Life should be about quality and enjoyment. Better hearing brings about small moments that can greatly impact our emotional wellbeing.

The smallest unexpected moments can come back to life when hearing is improved. Imagine being able to hear leaves rustling in the fall when you walk the dog, or the sounds of birds in the backyard. These little sounds add up to a more satisfying life and a more positive outlook.

These sounds are also the very fabric of connection, comfort, and presence. When people rediscover them, they often feel grounded, engaged, and present in their daily life. A connection to our surroundings gives us a longer, richer life.

Why Regular Hearing Aid Use Matters

The lifespan benefits of the USC study were observed in the people who wore their hearing aids on a regular basis. Occasional and inconsistent use doesn’t offer the same impact.

The study’s findings match what we see in our clinic. Those who benefit the most from improved hearing are those who wear their devices during all waking hours. Consistent use makes a big difference.

By consistently using hearing aids, your brain has a chance to adapt and remain stimulated. Like wearing glasses or brushing your teeth, hearing aid use becomes a habit—another part of your daily routine.

If you’re hesitant about wearing your hearing aids full-time, consult with your audiologist. Sometimes a few minor adjustments can make a big difference. If you’ve been putting off getting tested or fitted for hearing aids, now is the perfect time to take the next step. Your health depends on it.

At Anne Arundel Audiology in Glen Burnie, MD, we understand that hearing aids are about more than just turning up the volume on life. Hearing health offers freedom, confidence, independence, and a sense of connection.

At our practice, we have one goal in mind: guiding you through your best hearing healthcare decisions with empathy and expertise. Our patient-centered care is tailored to fit your unique lifestyle and hearing needs. We believe that everyone deserves to hear and live life fully.

While hearing aids aren’t a magic pill or a fountain of youth, they can be a powerful tool to assist with healthy aging. They cut back your risk of cognitive decline, depression, loneliness, falls, and even early death.

Start your journey to better hearing and a healthier, longer life today. Schedule your appointment at Anne Arundel Audiology to discover the benefits of regular hearing aid use for yourself.