For an older patient struggling with many of life’s challenges, suggesting hearing aids can seem to be adding another problem to their list. Particularly when we consider the difficulties arthritic fingers may have manipulating small controls and the strain of partially sighted eyes squinting to see the battery door. Often the mere thought of teaching “an old dog new tricks” can be enough to avoid the topic!
Despite these realities, research provides clear evidence that hearing aids are worthwhile; the significant benefit to quality of life far outweighs the accompanying difficulties of wearing hearing aids. A report by the AAA 2003 task force looking at the link between hearing loss and quality of life concludes “hearing aid use improves adults’ health-related quality of life by reducing psychological, social, and emotional effects of sensorineural hearing loss, an insidious, potentially devastating chronic health condition if left unchecked.”
Common complaints of a patient with hearing loss include the feeling of isolation, missing out on conversation and difficulty hearing in background noise. However it takes on average seven years for those with hearing loss to seek help and when we consider the long-term effects of such complaints the issue to be addressed becomes more than just one of social well-being. Hearing loss is also associated with mental, emotional and physical welfare. Overall the impact of hearing loss on quality of life is underestimated. For example if hearing loss is left untreated, the feeling of isolation can lead to social withdrawal and depression. Research shows that when an older person becomes socially isolated or experiences negative moods, they are around twice as likely to be admitted to residential care. Perhaps for some patients, the effects of hearing loss may be compounding their other more pressing ailments and fitting hearing aids should form part of their treatment.
Hearing aids hold great potential to positively impact many lives. Unfortunately most patients are only motivated to get hearing aids when a significant deterioration to their quality of life has occurred as a result of their untreated hearing loss. When a patient shows signs of hearing loss, they may need your help to realize the effects of leaving it untreated and to know that fitting hearing aids earlier can help maintain their quality of life.
Thanks to advances in technology, modern hearing aids are more flexible, automatic and user friendly than before making the transition to wearing them much easier. At Dilworth Hearing we have experience with all the latest technology and can provide tailored solutions to all your patients different needs and budgets.
Chisolm TH, Johnson CE, Danhauer JL, Portz LJ, Abrams HB, Lesner S, McCarthy PA, Newman CW.
A systematic review of health-related quality of life and hearing aids: final report of the American Academy of Audiology Task Force On the Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits of Amplification in Adults. J Am Acad Audiol. 2007 Feb;18(2):151-83. Review.
Reference:
Hogan A, O’Loughlin K, Miller P, Kendig H.The health impact of a hearing disability on older people in Australia. J Aging Health. 2009 Dec;21(8):1098-111New Zealand MOH older people strategy 2002www.moh.govt.nz/olderpeople
Sergei Kochkin,HEARING SOLUTIONS
The Impact of Treated Hearing Loss on Quality of Life.
