Tom is getting a new knee and he’s super pumped! Hey, the things you look forward to change as you age. He will be capable of moving around more freely and will have less pain with this knee replacement. So the surgery is successful and Tom goes home.
That’s when things take a turn.
Unfortunately, the healing process doesn’t go as it should. An infection takes hold, and Tom ends up back in the hospital for another knee surgery. Tom is not as excited by this point. As the nurses and doctors try to determine what happened, it becomes clear that Tom wasn’t following his recovery guidelines.
Tom didn’t purposely deviate from the instructions. Tom actually never even heard the instructions. It just so happens that there is a strong connection between hospital visits and hearing loss, so Tom isn’t by himself.
Hearing loss can contribute to more hospital visits
The common disadvantages of hearing loss are something that most individuals are already familiar with: you tend to socially separate yourself, causing you to become more distant from friends and family, and you raise your risk of developing cognitive decline. But there can be added, less obvious drawbacks to hearing loss, too, some of which we’re just beginning to really understand.
Increased emergency room visits is one of those relationships that’s becoming more apparent. Individuals who struggle with neglected hearing loss have a greater risk of taking a trip to the emergency room by 17% and will be 44% more likely to need to be readmitted later, as reported by one study.
Is there a link?
There are a couple of reasons why this could be.
- Untreated hearing loss can negatively impact your situational awareness. If you’re not aware of your surroundings, you might be more likely to get into a car accident or stub your toe. These kinds of injuries can, obviously, send you to the hospital (if you stub your toe hard enough).
- Your chance of readmission substantially increases once you’re in the hospital. Readmission occurs when you’re discharged from the hospital, spend some time at home, and then need to go back to the hospital. Sometimes this takes place because a complication occurs. In other instances, readmission might result from a new problem, or because the original problem wasn’t properly addressed.
Chances of readmission increases
Why is readmission more likely for people who have untreated 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 untreated hearing loss. For example, if you can’t hear what your physical therapist is telling you to do, you will be unable to perform your physical therapy treatment as well as you otherwise would. Whether you’re still in the hospital or at home, your recovery duration could be greatly increased.
- If you’re unable to hear your recovery directions, you won’t know how to care for yourself as you recover at home. If you can’t hear the instructions (and particularly 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 undergone surgery to replace your knee. Maybe you’re not supposed to shower for three weeks but you thought your doctor said three days. Now your wound is in danger of getting a severe infection (one that could land you back at the hospital).
Keeping track of your hearing aids
At first glimpse, the answer here might seem simple: just use your hearing aids! Unfortunately, hearing loss usually develops very slowly, and people with hearing loss may not always realize they are feeling its effects. The solution here is to make an appointment for a hearing exam with us.
Even if you do have a pair of hearing aids (and you should), there’s another complication: you might lose them. Hospital visits are usually rather chaotic. So the probability of losing your hearing aid is absolutely present. You will be better able to remain involved in your care when you’re in the hospital if you know how to handle your hearing aid.
Tips for getting prepared for a hospital visit when you have hearing loss
Knowing how to prepare for a hospital stay when you have hearing loss can prevent lots of headaches (and other discomfort) in the future. There are some easy things you can do:
- Make sure that the hospital staff is aware of your hearing loss. Miscommunication will be less likely if they are well notified about your situation.
- Don’t forget to bring your case. Using a case for your hearing aid is very important. This will make them a lot easier to keep track of.
- Whenever you can, wear your hearing aids, and when you aren’t wearing them, make sure to keep them in the case.
- Be aware of your battery power. Keep your hearing aid charged and bring spares if necessary.
- In a hospital setting, always advocate for yourself and ask your loved ones to advocate for you.
The key here is to communicate with the hospital at every phase. Make sure you’re telling your nurses and doctors about your hearing loss.
Hearing loss can cause health issues
It’s important to understand that your hearing health and your general health are closely related. After all, your hearing can have a considerable affect on your general health. Hearing loss is like any other health problem in that it needs to be addressed right away.
You don’t have to be like Tom. Keep your hearing aids close the next time you have to go in for a hospital stay.
