While falls caused by hearing loss happen frequently among aging adults, hearing evaluations, treatment options and resources are available to help prevent falls.
When does loss of hearing affect balance? Research suggests a strong relationship between hearing loss and balance in seniors. In the article below, we’ll cover the impact of falls and how your plan can be a part of the solution. Access to affordable hearing benefits may be key in preventing falls for at-risk individuals.
Falls due to hearing loss and imbalance in the elderly are on the rise, and hearing loss is a likely cause. People with hearing loss are nearly three times as likely to fall compared to those with normal hearing.
According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury with more than one in four Americans age 65 and older experiencing a fall annually. Additionally, there are about 1 million fall-related hospitalizations among older adults each year.
There are several ways hearing loss can impact balance and stability in aging adults and seniors:
Spatial awareness
Cognitive load
Inner ear changes
Spatial awareness
Cognitive load
Inner ear changes
Injuries caused by hearing-related falls can impact members in many ways, including their financial security and independence. Falls due to hearing loss also impact both insurers and healthcare systems.
The CDC reports non-fatal injury-causing falls among adults 65 and older cost the U.S. healthcare system about $50 billion annually.
Medical costs related to fatal falls add up to another $754 million. For health insurers and consumers, the financial burden is staggering. The CDC estimates that medical care related to non-fatal falls extracts $29 billion from Medicare, $12 billion from private or out-of-pocket payers and $9 billion from Medicaid.
According to the National Council on Aging, the financial repercussions for senior adult falls are expected to increase as the population ages and may reach over $101 billion by 2030.
Hearing loss treatment is vital in improving balance and preventing catastrophic falls.
In a study conducted by the University of Michigan, hearing aids were linked to a lower risk of falls. The study also found that older adults who used hearing aids within three years of a hearing loss diagnosis had a 13% lower risk of being treated for fall-related injuries compared to non-hearing aid wearers.
Another study documented by the American Geriatric Society from the University of Colorado found that fall risks were reduced by 50% for hearing aid users compared with non-users, especially when used more than four hours per day.
These findings suggest that the use of hearing aids—especially consistent hearing aid use—is associated with lower odds of experiencing a fall or being classified as at risk for falls in older individuals with hearing loss.
Despite growing evidence that hearing loss treatment can reduce the risk of injury-causing falls, millions of Americans do not receive the help they need due to the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, denial of hearing loss, high cost of hearing aids, and lack of hearing care coverage.
Many health insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans have improved access to hearing health care by adding a hearing benefit to their supplemental benefits. However, not all hearing benefits are equal, so it’s important to choose a partner with deep expertise and a proven track record in hearing health care, especially with engaging members to overcome barriers to treating hearing loss.
A significant amount of people with hearing loss resist seeking help because of hearing aid “sticker shock.” Health insurers, especially Medicare Advantage plans, and employers can make hearing aids more affordable by offering a hearing benefit.
