Tom is thrilled, he’s getting a brand new knee! Hey, the things you look forward to change as you get older. His knee replacement means he will suffer from less pain and be able to get out and about a lot better. So the operation is successful and Tom heads home.
That’s when things take a turn.
The knee doesn’t heal as well as it should. Tom ends up back in the hospital with an infection and will need another surgery. It’s becoming less exciting for Tom by the minute. As the doctors and nurses attempt to figure out what occurred, it becomes evident that Tom wasn’t following his recovery instructions.
Tom didn’t purposely ignore the guidelines. The problem is that he didn’t hear them. Tom can take some comfort in the fact that he’s not alone: there’s a solid connection between hearing loss and hospital visits.
Hearing loss can lead to more hospital visits
The common disadvantages of hearing loss are something that most individuals are already familiar with: you tend to socially isolate yourself, causing you to become more removed from friends and family, and you raise your risk of developing cognitive decline. But there can be added, less apparent disadvantages to hearing loss, too, some of which we’re just beginning to truly understand.
One of those relationships that’s becoming more evident is that hearing loss can lead to an increase in emergency room trips. People who struggle with neglected hearing loss have a greater risk of going to the emergency room by 17% and will be 44% more likely to need to be readmitted later, according to one study.
Is there a link?
There are a couple of reasons why this might be.
- Your possibility of readmission substantially increases once you’re in the hospital. Readmission occurs when you are released from the hospital, spend some time at home, and then need to go back to the hospital. Complications sometimes occur that lead to this readmission. Readmission can also occur because the initial problem wasn’t correctly managed or even from a new issue.
- Your situational awareness can be affected negatively by untreated hearing loss. If you’re not aware of your surroundings, you may be more likely to have a car accident or stub your toe. These sorts of injuries can, obviously, land you in the hospital (if you stub your toe hard enough).
Increased chances of readmission
Why is readmission more likely for individuals who have neglected hearing loss? There are a couple of reasons for this:
- When your nurses and doctors give you guidelines you may not hear them very well because of your neglected hearing loss. You won’t be able to properly do your physical therapy, for example, if you fail to hear the guidelines from your physical therapist. Whether you’re still in the hospital or at home, your recovery period could be greatly increased.
- Taking care of yourself after you get home will be nearly impossible if you don’t hear the guidelines. If you’re unable to hear the instructions (and especially if you don’t know you aren’t hearing your instructions properly), you’re more likely to reinjure yourself.
Let’s say, for example, you’ve recently had surgery to replace your knee. Perhaps you’re not supposed to take a shower for three weeks but you thought your doctor said three days. Now your wound is in danger of getting a serious infection (one that could put you back at the hospital).
Keeping track of your hearing aids
At first glimpse, the answer here may seem basic: you just need to use your hearing aids! Regrettably, hearing loss often develops very slowly, and people with hearing loss might not always realize they are feeling its effects. The solution here is to make an appointment for a hearing exam with us.
Even after you’ve taken the steps and invested in a set of hearing aids, there’s still the chance you may lose them. It’s often a chaotic scene when you have to go in for a hospital stay. So the possibility of losing your hearing aid is absolutely present. You will be better able to stay engaged in your care when you’re in the hospital if you know how to deal with your hearing aid.
Tips for taking your hearing aids with you during a hospital stay
If you’re dealing with hearing loss and you’re going in for a hospital stay, a lot of the headaches and discomfort can be avoided by knowing how to prepare. Here are a number of basic things you can do:
- Communicate to hospital staff about your hearing loss. Miscommunication will be less likely if they are well informed about your situation.
- Urge your loved ones to advocate for you. You should always be advocating on your own behalf in a hospital setting.
- Whenever you can, use your hearing aids, and when you aren’t using them, make certain to keep them in the case.
- Be aware of your battery power. Bring spares if you need them and charge your hearing aids when you can.
- Don’t forget to bring your case. It’s very important to use a case for your hearing aids. This will make them much easier to keep track of.
The key here is to communicate with the hospital at every phase. Be sure you’re telling your nurses and doctors about your hearing loss.
Hearing loss can cause health problems
It’s important to acknowledge that your hearing health and your overall health are closely linked. After all, your hearing can have a substantial impact on your general health. In a lot of ways, hearing loss is the same as a broken arm, in that each of these health issues calls for prompt treatment in order to avoid possible complications.
You don’t have to be like Tom. The next time you find yourself in the hospital, be sure your hearing aids are with you.