The effects of hearing aids on life expectancy

According to a recent American study, a link has been found between the use of hearing aids and reduced mortality risk. In fact, it was observed that severe hearing loss may be associated with a higher risk of mortality and that, in parallel, this risk is lower in hearing impaired patients who habitually use hearing aids than in those who do not.

The link between the use of hearing aids and the possibility that it may decrease the risk of mortality is based on scientific data, including:

• A hearing impaired patient who does not use the devices has a higher risk of falls or accidents.
• Many studies have shown a close relationship between untreated deafness and increased risk of cognitive decline, social isolation and depression.

These factors could be independently associated with a lower likelihood of death.

It has been observed that there is a close correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline. In this context, the use of hearing aids could play a key role not only in reducing the risk of mortality, but also in preventing the development of dementia. This is because maintaining good hearing could help preserve cognitive functions, thus preventing cognitive decline related to untreated or neglected hearing loss.

According to recent research, treating hearing loss can have a significant impact on mortality risk by improving certain aspects of the social sphere of those with the condition. These include social isolation and depression.

The use of hearing aids offers a number of concrete benefits that positively influence people's daily lives, including:

• improved social communication, facilitating conversations and interactions;
• increased safety by enabling the detection of important environmental sounds such as warnings and traffic signals;
• improved sleep quality, due to less cognitive effort during the day;
• reduced mental effort needed to understand sounds;
• increased self-confidence and personal satisfaction.

Experts are focusing and working on creating a system based on artificial intelligence that will be able to classify patients' hearing aid preferences in order to offer a customised solution. They are also emphasising the importance of further investigating the relationship between the constant use of hearing aids and the reduction of mortality risk.