Regular use of hearing aids has been found to be associated with decreased death rates in adults with hearing loss, according to a new study conducted at the University of Southern California. This study emphasizes the importance of encouraging people to use hearing aids and ensuring accessibility for those who require them.
The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, approximately 1 out of every 14 people will have severe enough hearing loss to necessitate treatment. The most common causes of hearing loss are exposure to loud noises and natural aging-related degeneration.
The research team studied 10,000 adults from the CDC’s National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) and discovered that only 13% of adults with hearing loss used hearing aids regularly. After a decade, it was found that regular hearing aid users had a 24% lower death rate compared to those who did not consistently use them.
Although the study couldn’t determine the exact reason behind the link between hearing aid use and reduced deaths, it is hypothesized that it may be due to mitigating risk factors for conditions such as depression, dementia, and social isolation.
However, the cost and lack of access to care pose significant barriers to hearing aid use. Hearing aids can be expensive, with prices reaching up to $4,500, and most insurance plans do not cover them. Additionally, stigma associated with aging or appearance often deters individuals from using hearing aids.
To increase hearing aid use, strategies such as training more audiologists, implementing accessible hearing assessments, and making over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids more widely available have been proposed. OTC hearing aids became available in 2022 after an FDA rule, and advocates hope that they will drive down prices and encourage more people to seek comprehensive hearing assessments.
Although this study suggests that hearing aids may serve as a protective medical treatment against worsening disease or death, further research is required to comprehend their benefits for younger adults with mild hearing loss.
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