Hearing aids ensure a person with hearing loss is fully engaged with the world around them.
A person suffering from hearing loss is at greater risk of suffering an accident, new research contends.
The new data, published in JAMA Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery, used a sample of 232.2 million working Americans. Of the group, 15.7 percent reported having trouble hearing, and 2.8 percent reported that they were injured in an accident within three months of taking the survey.
Those who reported having “a lot of trouble hearing,” were 90 percent more likely to have been injured in an accident recently than those who described their hearing as “excellent,” and those who reported experiencing only “a little trouble” were 60 percent more likely. The study found that compromised hearing ability results in a higher risk of accident in multiple areas of life, with work and leisure related accidents being more strongly connected to hearing problems than driving mishaps.
A study with a sample size this large serves as a great indicator of just how important it is to take hearing loss seriously. Research has long confirmed that individuals that suffer hearing loss are also more likely to experience brain atrophy later in life, with links to Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and dementia.
“This new research confirms the increasing evidence that hearing loss is a serious and treatable health issue,” said CNC Hearing and Balance Center Neurotologist Moises Arriaga. “Other studies show untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia and balance problems. This data identifies an increased risk of accidental injury. The bottom line is that hearing loss is an important medical issue which should be identified early and treated.”
Hearing screenings and proper care, as offered by the CNC Hearing and Balance Center, are effective ways to make sure you are engaging safely with the world around you. Not being able to hear an approaching automobile or nearby machinery are two examples of threats to those with poor hearing. The CNC Hearing and Balance Center can provide the screening necessary to ensure that you avoid these risks.
Regular hearing screenings should be a part of everyone’s annual health care so that more severe auditory issues don’t go undetected. The use of a hearing aid could restore hearing to a level of health that would decrease a patient’s risk of injury by 80 percent.
Neurotologist Moises Arriaga, MD and the team of audiologists at CNC Hearing and Balance Center provide a high level of medical care and management of hearing conditions to ensure patients are interacting with their environment in a safe and sound way. Visit CNChearing.com for more information.
