Regularly Wearing Hearing Aids May Help You Live Longer

Want more time to enjoy the good things in life? According to a new study, hearing aids could boost your longevity—if you wear them consistently to treat hearing loss. 

The study found that regular hearing aid users may experience a 24% lower mortality risk than those who never use them. It also revealed no significant differences in the mortality rates of people who never wear hearing aids and those who wear them sporadically. 

Details About the Study 

Led by Dr. Janet Choi, an otolaryngologist from Keck Medicine of USC, the study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1999–2012 to identify 10,000 adults who had hearing evaluations and completed questionnaires about their hearing aid use. Researchers tracked their mortality status for 10 years.  

Of the 1,863 adults with hearing loss, 237 wore hearing aids regularly (defined as using them at least once a week, at least five hours a week or at least half the time), while 1,483 never used them. Individuals who wore their hearing aids once a month or less were considered non-regular users. 

“We found that adults with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids had a 24% lower risk of mortality than those who never wore them,” said Dr. Choi. “These results are exciting because they suggest that hearing aids may play a protective role in people’s health and prevent early death.” 

The link between regular hearing aid use and reduced mortality risk persisted even when adjusting for hearing loss severity, age, education, ethnicity and other factors. 

The research isn’t clear on how hearing aids may lead to greater longevity, but other studies have found that wearing hearing aids can contribute to more socializing and decrease the risk of depression and dementia, allowing people to live healthier lives.  

As this study shows, consistent hearing aid use is best. Have hearing aids you aren’t wearing because they don’t help you hear well? Make an appointment with us today!