Not only from hearing loss
Researchers have linked the use of hearing aids with a lower risk of dementia, depression and falls.
Lina Medvedeva, XX2 century
The findings made by the University of Michigan team based on data on nearly 115,000 Americans over 66 who lost their hearing and were insured under the Medicare HMO program from 2008 to 2016, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or Falls in Older Adults?).
However, the work shows that only 12% of people who have been diagnosed with hearing loss by a doctor actually start using hearing aids, even if their purchase is covered by insurance. It was also revealed that hearing aids may not be used by people of certain racial, ethnic origin, located in different geographical locations, of different genders.
Unlike the traditional program Medicare, Medicare HMO covers part of the costs of hearing aids for participants who are diagnosed with hearing loss.
Elham Mahmoudi, a doctor of medical economics who led the study, says that this work confirms the results of other scientific research, but the new data also show differences that arise over time.
"We already know that hearing loss is accompanied by other diseases, but our study allowed us to see the consequences of introducing a hearing aid into a patient's life," she says. "Although it cannot be said that hearing aids prevent these diseases, but they can delay the onset of depression, anxiety, as well as the risk of falls."
Moody and her colleagues from the University of Michigan studied anonymous insurance data as part of the study and, in particular, data on each person with hearing loss a year before diagnosis and three years later, so they were able to track recently diagnosed dementia, depression, anxiety and injuries from falls.
They intend to continue studying additional data coming from this population group to find out whether these health indicators persist even after three years.
The study showed that men with hearing loss were more likely to use a hearing aid – 13.3%, compared with 11.3% of women.
The researchers tracked the health of patients using a hearing aid and receiving medical care for hearing impairment for three years. There was a significant difference between them and those who did not use a hearing aid.
Overall, the risk that a patient would be diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss was 18% lower among hearing aid users. And the risk of injury associated with a fall is 13% lower.
The study also confirms the results of previous studies, according to which people with hearing loss had a much higher rate of dementia, depression and fall-related injuries than the average population.
The reasons for this are complex and may include: loss of social interactions, loss of independence, loss of balance, and decreased brain stimulation. Some researchers believe that the loss of nerve impulses going from the ear to the brain and the loss of cognitive abilities leading to dementia may be part of the same aging process.
According to Moody, the study included only persons who applied to insurance companies for compensation for the cost of a hearing aid.
- In Russia, in order to receive compensation for the purchase of a hearing aid or to receive it for free, it is required to register a hearing disability, and then contact the local branch of the Social Insurance Fund.
- In Ukraine, for a similar purpose, it is necessary to come to the local Department of Labor and Social Policy with a certificate from a surdologist.
- In Belarus, after registration of disability, contact the local Department of Social Protection.
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