It’s no secret that treating hearing loss with hearing aids gives us the life-changing benefit of never missing a moment. But this just in: A brand-new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity Journal has revealed that hearing aids may also be life-lengthening—by nearly 25 percent.
While the study had us at “live longer,” we wanted to know more and thought you might, too.
Study examined longevity effects of regular hearing aid use
The goal of the study was to find out if treating hearing loss with hearing aids could increase the likelihood of living longer. It was led by Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor) Dr. Janet Choi of the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.
The research team examined hearing evaluations from over 10,000 adults aged 20 and older and identified nearly 1,900 who were living with hearing loss. Of this group, some wore hearing aids regularly; some had them but didn’t wear them regularly; and some didn’t own them at all.
The results: The people who wore hearing aids regularly had a nearly 25 percent reduced risk of early death compared to those who didn’t wear hearing aids regularly or at all.
Hearing aids increasingly found to benefit overall health
This encouraging discovery about hearing aids’ positive effect on lifespan is the latest of many that have shown treating hearing loss is beneficial to our overall health.
To name a few:
Wearing hearing aids can help with brain health: Research has proven they can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Moreover, the Lancet Commission on Dementia, Prevention, Intervention and Care named hearing loss the number one modifiable risk factor found to prevent dementia.
Wearing hearing aids has also been associated with a reduced risk of depression. These findings come as no surprise, given how the communication assistance of hearing aids is key to combatting loneliness and social isolation.
And when it comes to overall safety, hearing aids have also been reported to reduce the risk of falls and the number of hospital visits for people who wear the devices regularly.
And the list is certain to go on…
You deserve all the health benefits of better hearing
So, if you are thinking about getting your hearing tested or treating any hearing loss you know you have, you’ve now got one more great reason why you should.
It’s as easy as making an appointment with a licensed hearing care professional. If you don’t have one yet, simply type your zip code in here and you’ll generate a list of local hearing providers who you can reach out to.
Here’s to giving ourselves the power to hear better and live better—and potentially longer—by treating our hearing loss.