Hearing Doctor Raleigh Services

Why hearing doctors are important: Individuals aged 65 and above frequently experience falls. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25% of older adults encounter a fall annually. Such incidents often lead to visits to the emergency room, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, hospital admissions, or even fatalities. Notably, the mortality rate among the elderly due to falls rose by 30% between 2007 and 2016. Furthermore, the financial burden of falls exceeds $50 billion annually in healthcare expenses. Additionally, falling imposes a significant emotional toll on older individuals. They harbor a fear of falling due to the potential for injury, as well as feelings of embarrassment and the wish to maintain their independence. This fear may cause them to restrict their outings and social engagements, ultimately leading to physical deterioration and social isolation.

Hearing aids using sound information

When properly fitted with hearing aids, individuals become more attuned to their surroundings and are less prone to falls. Additionally, enhanced hearing can alleviate the cognitive strain associated with hearing loss. Hearing aids also assist in differentiating subtle sounds and their origins. For example, a person using a hearing aid can more effectively hear another individual or a pet approaching, thereby minimizing the risk of falling due to an unexpected encounter or by tripping over them. Research conducted by Washington University School of Medicine indicates that hearing aids provide benefits beyond merely enhancing alertness. In a study where participants were asked to perform balance tests both with and without hearing aids, it was observed that they exhibited improved balance while wearing the devices. This implies that individuals with hearing aids utilize auditory information as reference points for maintaining balance, akin to the way we rely on visual cues.