Using Hearing Aids Can Help You Live Longer

As we step into a new year, health resolutions often revolve around familiar themes like diet and exercise. However, emerging research on hearing loss by experts such as Dr. Janet Choi, Dr. Frank Lin, and Dr. Thomas Holland suggests that a crucial aspect may be missing from these resolutions – hearing health.

Recent findings, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal, reveal that regular use of hearing aids can significantly reduce the risk of premature death among U.S. adults with hearing loss. Dr. Choi, an otolaryngologist with Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California, leads the way in uncovering the potential life-saving benefits of hearing aids, supported by insights from Dr. Lin and Dr. Holland.

The Lifesaving Impact of Regular Hearing Aid Use

Dr. Janet Choi's groundbreaking study, analyzing data from over 10,000 U.S. adults between 1999 and 2012, revealed a startling result – a 24% lower risk of mortality for individuals with hearing loss who regularly wear hearing aids. This association was consistent across different demographics, highlighting the protective role of hearing aids. Regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, insurance type, or severity of hearing loss, regular hearing aid users exhibited significantly lower mortality risk. Dr. Choi emphasizes that hearing aids are more than optional devices; they play a vital role in overall well-being.

The study categorized 1,863 adults with hearing loss based on hearing aid usage: regular, non-regular, or never users. Even after adjusting for wealth, education, and overall health, the nearly 25% difference in mortality risk between regular users and never-users remained. Dr. Choi notes that only 12% of people with hearing loss wear hearing aids regularly, while most had never worn one. Interestingly, participants who had hearing aids but did not use them regularly were just as likely to die prematurely as those who never used them.

Dr. Choi's Personal Experience with Hearing Loss

Dr. Choi personally relates to these challenges. She was born with hearing loss in her left ear but didn’t wear a hearing device until her 30s. Initially, she resisted hearing aids, relying on her healthy right ear. However, her work as a surgeon revealed the impact of untreated hearing loss.

In the operating room, background noise caused misunderstandings. She shares, "People thought that I was just ignoring them, which was actually not true. I just didn't hear them." Now a regular hearing aid user, she attests to the significant improvement in her hearing and encourages others to reconsider the benefits of hearing aids.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Choi says, “I really want to encourage anyone experiencing hearing loss to seek care. I've tried at least three different hearing aids. But when I found the one that really fit me and that I liked, I was surprised by the sound that I was missing.” Today, with her hearing significantly improved by hearing aids, she adds, "I'm very happy I got hearing aids."

Time to Use Hearing Aids When You Have Hearing Loss

Although the study does not explore the underlying mechanisms, hypotheses suggest untreated hearing loss may impact brain structures due to auditory deprivation. Dr. Lin's research reinforces this, showing a 48% reduction in cognitive decline associated with hearing aid use. MRI scans indicate hearing aid users experience slower brain tissue loss.

While the study does not specify an ideal frequency of hearing aid use, Dr. Choi suggests using them at least once a week can be beneficial, with optimal results likely achieved with daily use. Even individuals with mild hearing loss can benefit from regular use, opening avenues for future research on when to start and how often to wear hearing aids for optimal health outcomes.

Overcoming Barriers to Hearing Aid Adoption

Despite the benefits, many individuals hesitate to wear hearing aids due to barriers such as cost, lack of insurance coverage, and social stigma. Dr. Choi hopes her research will encourage healthcare providers to recommend hearing aids more broadly and improve insurance support, emphasizing that hearing loss is not an inevitable part of aging.

Dr. Thomas Holland, physician scientist at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, underscores the study's importance in addressing modifiable risk factors. Such interventions not only provide immediate health benefits but also enhance longevity and overall well-being. These findings challenge the perception that hearing loss is unavoidable with age and without effective solutions.

As research highlights the profound impact of hearing aids on longevity and well-being, prioritizing hearing health becomes increasingly urgent. Dr. Janet Choi, Dr. Frank Lin, and Dr. Thomas Holland contribute to a growing body of evidence that positions hearing aids not merely as assistive devices but as potential lifesavers. Wearing hearing aids emerges as a sound investment, fostering communication, preserving cognitive function, and improving quality of life for those with hearing loss.

As we face the challenges of an aging population, understanding the importance of regular hearing aid use becomes key to fostering a healthier, more vibrant future. The study's insights invite us to overcome adoption barriers, dispel social stigmas, and recognize the transformative potential of hearing aids in shaping a happier, healthier life.