Everyone loves the idea of a miracle cure that helps you live longer. As a matter of fact, a quick internet search will likely return thousands of such miracle remedies (if not more), each promising to help you have a longer life thanks to one simple trick. The healthcare community doesn’t endorse most of these supposed 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 example, eating a healthy diet (especially one low in sodium and saturated fats) or quitting smoking can substantially impact your expected lifespan.
Using hearing aids to treat hearing loss is also in this group. That’s in line with a recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, a multidisciplinary publication committed to healthy aging. So, will using hearing aids to treat hearing loss help improve longevity? According to this study, it’s a distinct possibility.
Does hearing loss pose a risk to your health?
Researchers have been aware of the link between overall wellness and hearing health for quite a while. The fact that untreated hearing loss can substantially raise your risk of developing cognitive decline is well founded, for example.
These risks, however, are generally unknown by most individuals. They think about hearing loss as an isolated hassle, something that only influences one very particular aspect of their life. But when left untreated, hearing loss can pose greater health concerns than a simple inconvenience.
The link between lifespan and hearing loss
Usually, using hearing aids as often as possible will be the main way to manage hearing loss. So does this mean that you can decrease your risk of early death by wearing hearing aids? According to this most recent research, quite possibly. The study found that day-to-day hearing aid use was linked to a 24% reduction in mortality risk. The participants in this study, in other words, who used their hearing aids, had a tendency to live longer.
The advantages of hearing aids
The research published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity isn’t necessarily definitive proof that hearing aids will help you live longer (though the study does strongly indicate a relationship). However, it’s another piece of evidence to add onto what we already know about the benefits of hearing aids.
- From enjoying caring moments with your grandchildren to taking part in a business dinner, everyday situations with friends, family, and colleagues will be easier.
- Social engagements can become considerably easier. This will help your overall well-being by reducing your feelings of social solitude.
- You can prevent accidents and injuries by being more mindful of your surroundings.
- Using your hearing aids can help enhance cognition. Over time, your brain will be healthier and less tired from struggling to hear.
These are improvements to your quality of life that you’ll experience each time you wear your hearing aids. For these reasons alone, hearing aids are a significant part of treating your hearing loss.
Your overall health and well-being depend heavily on healthy hearing
Scientists have recognized that the health of your hearing plays a significant role in your overall wellness. If you have hearing loss, getting diagnosed and wearing hearing aids can substantially decrease your early mortality risks.
Seeing a hearing specialist can help you determine whether you have hearing loss and the best way to treat it.