Mortality rate is reduced by 24% when patients with hearing loss consistently use it.
Communication, brain stimulation, dementia prevention… Must be worn at least once a week
Research has shown that patients with hearing loss can prevent early death if they consistently use hearing aids.
The Washington Post reported on the 3rd (local time) the results of a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found that the early mortality rate of hearing loss patients who regularly used hearing aids was reduced by more than 24% compared to those who did not use hearing aids. The analysis is that hearing aids prevent depression and dementia by increasing the frequency of communication and brain stimulation.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey on hearing tests and hearing aid use among approximately 10,000 people with an average age of 48.6 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2012. These results were derived by classifying 1,853 people identified as hearing loss patients according to whether or not they used hearing aids and how frequently they used them.
Among patients with hearing loss, 12.7% were ‘regular users’ who used hearing aids for at least 5 hours a week. ‘Irregular users’ who spend less than 5 hours were 6.6%. 80.7% were non-users of hearing aids. The research team investigated their mortality rates until December 31, 2019.
Patients who regularly wore hearing aids had a 24% lower mortality rate than those who did not wear hearing aids, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, health insurance, degree of hearing loss, or other health conditions. If a person does not wear a hearing aid and has severe hearing loss, the early mortality rate increases.
The University of Southern California, which participated in this study, said, “It has been confirmed that hearing aids are actually beneficial to health beyond helping hearing.” Although the exact causal relationship has not been revealed, hearing loss treatment appears to have several effects, including recovery of cognitive function and prevention of depression.
In the past, Johns Hopkins University also announced that persistent hearing loss can lead to short lifespan, depression, and dementia. This is because hearing loss causes disruption of communication and social isolation, which ultimately affects the timing of death. It is also known that wearing a hearing aid can stimulate the brain with more sounds.
Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins University said, “If you don’t hear well, your brain receives distorted auditory signals and structural problems occur.”
A research team at the University of Southern California recommended that patients with hearing loss use hearing aids at least one day a week. It is known that the effect increases even more if used every day. Additionally, the research team added that hearing aids are a device that does not lower the mortality rate in all cases but only provides partial help.
Those who wear hearing aids may have a lower mortality rate because they have a relatively high economic and educational level or take good care of their health. However, the research team reported that even after adjusting for the factors, there was a large difference in mortality rates between hearing aid users and non-users. He then acknowledged that there is a variable to the extent that hearing aid users may be people who care more about their health.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.