8897 Mentor Ave Mentor, OH 44060
8897 Mentor Ave Mentor, OH 44060
Can Hearing Aids Reduce Your Risk of Falling?
Advance Audiology Concepts • November 17, 2023
Falls are a major concern for older adults, as they can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and even death. One factor that may increase the risk of falling is hearing loss. Studies have shown that people with hearing loss are more likely to fall than those with normal hearing. Below are a number of reasons why hearing loss can increase the risk of falling.
- Spatial Awareness: Hearing is an important component of spatial awareness. It helps individuals detect and locate sounds in their environment. When hearing is impaired, it becomes challenging to be fully aware of the surroundings, making it easier to trip over obstacles or collide with objects.
- Auditory Cues for Balance: Auditory information contributes to the brain’s understanding of the body’s position in space. Hearing loss can affect the brain’s ability to interpret these cues, potentially leading to balance issues and an increased risk of falls.
- Difficulty in Detecting Hazards: Sounds such as footsteps, approaching vehicles, or other environmental cues serve as warning signals for potential hazards. Individuals with hearing loss may have difficulty detecting these warning signs, putting them at a higher risk of accidents.
- Reduced Awareness of Surroundings: Hearing loss can contribute to a reduced awareness of the environment, making it more challenging to respond to unexpected situations. For example, someone with hearing loss might not hear someone approaching from behind, increasing the likelihood of collisions or falls.
- Communication Challenges: Effective communication is essential for safety. Hearing loss can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, especially in situations where verbal communication is crucial for avoiding hazards. This breakdown in communication can contribute to accidents and falls.
- Social Isolation: Hearing loss can lead to social isolation, as individuals may avoid social activities due to difficulties in communication. Social isolation, in turn, is a risk factor for falls, as it may lead to a decrease in physical activity and an overall decline in health.
- Cognitive Load: Struggling to hear and understand conversations can place an additional cognitive load on individuals with hearing loss. This increased cognitive effort may divert attention from other tasks, reducing the ability to focus on the environment and increasing the risk of tripping or falling.
How Hearing Aids May Help
Hearing aids can significantly reduce the risk of falling by addressing the sensory deficits associated with hearing loss. They enhance an individual’s spatial awareness, allowing for better detection and localization of environmental sounds. This improvement in auditory perception enables timely recognition of potential hazards, such as footsteps or approaching vehicles, contributing to enhanced situational awareness.
By facilitating effective communication, hearing aids help individuals receive verbal warnings and cues, reducing the likelihood of accidents. Moreover, hearing aids support balance and gait by providing the auditory information necessary for the brain to maintain equilibrium. Overall, the use of hearing aids not only mitigates the communication challenges linked to hearing loss but also plays a crucial role in promoting overall safety and preventing falls in various environments.
What the Research Says
A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that people who wore hearing aids had about a 50% reduced odds of experiencing a fall, compared to non-users. And, the reduction was even greater among those who wore hearing aids at least four hours per day.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a serious condition that can increase the risk of falling. However, there is evidence to suggest that hearing aids may help to reduce this risk.
In addition to the benefits listed above, hearing aids can also:
- Help you to hear softer sounds
- Improve your ability to understand speech in noisy environments
- Reduce feedback
- Make it easier to listen to music and other sounds
- Improve your overall quality of life
If you are considering getting hearing aids, do your research and talk to your hearing healthcare professional. There are many different types of hearing aids available. It is important to find one that meets your individual needs.
Please note that this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health.
With a mix of passion and compassion, the doctors at Advanced Audiology Concepts The Hearing Center in Mentor are the hometown choice for helping people live their best lives by detecting hearing loss and coming up with proactive plans customized to each patient to address it. “Hearing loss often occurs slowly over time like a dimmer switch,” says Dr. Jane Kukula, who founded the center in 2000 after working with a downtown Cleveland children’s rehab hospital for many years. “It’s important to diagnose hearing loss properly and professionally, as it could be caused by something simple like ear wax buildup.” Hearing Loss and Dementia “While there have been numerous studies over the years that show the relationship between hearing loss and dementia, a recent one stated that hearing loss is the number one mitigatable risk for dementia,” says Dr. Jane. “Scientists have found it can increase your chances of dementia by up to five times. The two are connected because when your hearing goes, the part of the brain that enables the signals you receive through hearing becomes inactive and declines.” In addition to its link to brain decline, hearing loss also increases a person’s fall risk and related ER visits. “Since hearing loss is connected to issues such as diabetes and kidney disease, like a canary in a coal mine, getting your hearing tested can be an indicator for your overall health,” she adds. “It also reduces a person’s socialization, which is connected to your ability to thrive.”
A recent breakthrough study sheds light on the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Published in The Lancet in July, 2023, the ACHIEVE study provides evidence that hearing intervention can be an effective way to slow cognitive decline in older adults at greater risk of dementia. The randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of hearing intervention on cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss. It included 977 adults ages 70-84 with untreated hearing loss free from substantial cognitive impairment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive hearing aids and audiological support services (intervention group) or health education (control group). The study found that, over three years, hearing intervention did not significantly affect cognitive decline in the general population of older adults with hearing loss. However, in older adults at greater risk of dementia, hearing intervention was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. Specifically, participants in the intervention group were 25% less likely to show significant cognitive decline over three years than participants in the control group. The findings of the ACHIEVE study suggest that hearing intervention may effectively slow cognitive decline in older adults at greater risk of dementia. More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal timing and duration of hearing intervention to prevent cognitive decline. Here are some additional details about the study: The study was conducted at four sites in the United States: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of California, San Francisco. The intervention group received hearing aids and audiological support services, which included hearing aid fittings, counseling and follow-up appointments. The control group received health education, which included information about hearing loss and dementia. The study’s primary outcome was the rate of cognitive decline, as measured by a standardized cognitive function test. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and the Hearing Loss Association of America. As the study points out, the longer you wait to do something about your hearing loss, the greater the risk for cognitive decline. Call us today, we can help.
The holiday season is in full swing, gatherings small and large at a variety of venues. Unfortunately, for individuals with hearing loss their struggle to clearly understand what’s being said is more apparent that ever before. The human ear, a marvel of engineering, allows us to navigate the world’s symphony of sound. But when this intricate system falters, even slightly, the consequences can be surprising. Mild hearing loss, often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, can have a significant impact on our lives, working its way into our relationships, work, and even our health. While you might still catch most conversations, the subtle nuances of speech – the inflection, the soft consonants – become blurred. Imagine trying to decipher a whispered secret in a crowded room, or struggling to follow the plot of a movie with muffled dialogue. These everyday situations become frustrating exercises in concentration, leaving you feeling isolated and out of the loop. The social impact of mild hearing loss is often the most noticeable. Misunderstandings bloom, leading to awkward silences and strained conversations. Jokes fall flat, and the joy of shared laughter dims. Social gatherings, once a source of connection, become an exhausting effort to keep up, leading to withdrawal and loneliness. The workplace can also be a minefield. Important instructions get missed, deadlines slip, and valuable contributions go unheard. Career advancement becomes a steeper climb, and the constant strain of deciphering muffled communication can lead to fatigue and decreased productivity. But the effects of mild hearing loss extend beyond the immediate. Studies have shown a link between unaddressed hearing loss and cognitive decline, including an increased risk of dementia. The brain, deprived of its full auditory input, struggles to compensate, leading to a domino effect on cognitive function. The good news? Ignoring hearing loss isn’t the answer. Addressing mild hearing loss early can make a world of difference. Hearing aids can amplify the sounds you’ve been missing, restoring clarity to communication and reconnecting you with the world around you. Here’s what to do: Get your hearing tested: A hearing test can provide valuable insight into your auditory health. Talk to your hearing healthcare professional: Early intervention is key. Discuss your concerns and treatment options with your hearing healthcare provider. Embrace technology: Today’s hearing aids are discreet, sophisticated, and can be customized to your needs. Don’t be shy: Hearing loss is common, and seeking help is smart. Talk to your loved ones and colleagues, and break the stigma surrounding hearing health. Remember, even a mild hearing loss can have a big impact. By taking action, you can turn up the volume on your life and reconnect with the world you deserve to hear.