Tom is excited, he’s getting a brand new knee! Hey, the things you get excited about change as you get older. His knee replacement means he will experience less pain and be able to get out and about a lot better. So Tom goes in, the operation is a success, and Tom heads home!
But that’s not the end of it.
The knee doesn’t heal properly. An infection takes hold, and Tom ends up back in the hospital for another knee surgery. Tom is not as psyched by this point. The doctors and nurses have come to the realization that Tom wasn’t following their advice and instructions for recovery.
Tom didn’t purposely deviate from the instructions. The issue is that he didn’t hear them. Tom can feel a little better in the fact that he isn’t alone: there’s a strong link between hearing loss and hospital visits.
Hearing loss can lead to more hospital visits
At this point, you’re most likely acquainted with the common drawbacks of hearing loss: you tend to socially isolate yourself, causing you to become more distant from friends and loved ones, and you raise your danger of developing cognitive decline. But there can be added, less apparent disadvantages to hearing loss, too, some of which we’re just beginning to actually understand.
Increased emergency room trips is one of those relationships that’s becoming more evident. People who suffer from neglected hearing loss have a higher danger of going to the emergency room by 17% and will be 44% more likely to have to be readmitted later on, according to one study.
What’s the connection?
This might be the situation for a couple of reasons.
- Once you’re in the hospital, your potential of readmission increases significantly. But when you’re discharged and go home for a time but then have to go back to the hospital, readmission occurs. Sometimes this takes place because a complication occurs. Readmission can also occur because the initial problem wasn’t correctly managed or even from a new issue.
- Untreated hearing loss can negatively affect your situational awareness. Anything from a stubbed toe to a car accident will be more likely to occur if you aren’t aware of what’s around you. These types of injuries can, obviously, send you to the hospital (if you stub your toe hard enough).
Increased chances of readmission
Why is readmission more likely for people who have untreated hearing loss? This occurs for a couple of reasons:
- When your nurses and doctors give you instructions you might not hear them very well because of your untreated hearing loss. You won’t be able to properly do your physical therapy, for instance, if you fail to hear the guidelines from your physical therapist. This can result in a longer recovery duration while you’re in the hospital and also a longer recovery once you’re discharged.
- Taking care of yourself after you get home will be practically impossible if you don’t hear the instructions. 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 instance, you’ve recently undergone surgery to replace your knee. Your surgeon might tell you not to shower for the next 3 weeks, but you hear 3 days instead. Now your wound is in danger of developing a serious 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: you just need to wear your hearing aids! Sadly, in the early phases of hearing loss, it often goes unnoticed because of how slowly it develops. The solution here is to make an appointment for a hearing exam with us.
Even after you’ve taken the measures and invested in a pair of hearing aids, there’s still the chance you may lose them. It’s frequently a chaotic scene when you need to go in for a hospital stay. So the probability of losing your hearing aid is definitely present. Knowing how to handle hearing aids during a hospital stay can help you remain involved in your care.
Tips for bringing your hearing aids with you during a hospital stay
If you have 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 get yourself ready. Here are a number of basic things you can do:
- In a hospital environment, always advocate for yourself and ask your family to advocate for you.
- Bring your case with you. Using a case for your hearing aid is very important. They will be able to be better taken care of that way.
- Use your hearing aids whenever you can, and keep them in their case when you’re not using them.
- Communicate to hospital staff about your hearing loss. The more educated you are about your hearing loss, the less likelihood there is for a miscommunication to happen.
- Be mindful of your battery power. Keep your hearing aid charged and bring spares if necessary.
Communication with the hospital at every phase is the trick here. Be sure you’re telling your nurses and physicians about your hearing loss.
Hearing is a health issue
It’s important to understand that your hearing health and your overall health are closely related. After all, your hearing can have a substantial affect 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 need to be like Tom. Keep your hearing aids close the next time you have to go in for a hospital stay.
