Tom is getting a new knee and he’s super pumped! Look, as you get older, the kinds of things you look forward to change. He will be capable of moving around more easily and will experience less pain with his new knee. So Tom goes in, the operation is successful, and Tom goes home!
But that’s not the end of it.
The knee doesn’t heal properly. An infection sets in, and Tom winds up back in the hospital for another knee surgery. It’s getting less exciting for Tom by the minute. The doctors and nurses have come to the realization that Tom wasn’t following their advice and guidelines for recovery.
So here’s the thing: it isn’t that Tom didn’t want to follow those recovery guidelines. Tom actually never even heard the instructions. It just so happens that there is a strong link between hospital visits and hearing loss, so Tom isn’t by himself.
Hearing loss can lead to more hospital visits
At this point, you’re most likely familiar with the common disadvantages of hearing loss: you tend to socially isolate yourself, causing you to become more removed from friends and loved ones, and you raise your risk of developing dementia. But we’re finally beginning to understand some of the less evident drawbacks to hearing loss.
One of those relationships that’s becoming more apparent is that hearing loss can result in an increase in emergency room trips. One study revealed that people with hearing loss have a 17% higher risk of requiring a trip to the emergency room and a 44% increased chance of readmission later on.
Is there a link?
There are a couple of reasons why this could be.
- Your situational awareness can be impacted negatively by untreated hearing loss. Anything from a stubbed toe to a car accident will be more likely to happen if you’re not aware of what’s around you. These types of injuries can, of course, send you to the hospital (if you stub your toe hard enough).
- Your potential of readmission considerably increases once you’re in the hospital. Readmission happens when you are released from the hospital, spend some time at home, and then need to go back to the hospital. Sometimes this happens because a complication occurs. In other instances, readmission might result from a new issue, or because the original issue wasn’t properly addressed.
Increased risk of readmission
So why are those with untreated hearing loss more likely to be readmitted to the hospital? This happens for a couple of reasons:
- When your doctors and nurses give you guidelines you might not hear them very well because of your untreated hearing loss. For instance, if you can’t understand what your physical therapist is telling you to do, you won’t be able to do your physical therapy treatment as well as you otherwise would. This can result in a longer recovery time while you’re in the hospital as well as a longer recovery once you’re discharged.
- Caring for 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 particularly if you’re not aware that you aren’t hearing your instructions properly), you’re more likely to reinjure yourself.
For example, let’s pretend you’ve recently undergone knee replacement surgery. Your surgeon may tell you not to take a shower for the next 3 weeks, but you hear 3 days instead. Now your wound is at risk of getting a severe infection (one that could land you back at the hospital).
Keeping track of your hearing aids
The solution might seem straight-forward at first glimpse: just wear your hearing aids! Sadly, in the early stages of hearing loss, it frequently goes undetected because of how slowly it advances. Coming in to see us for a hearing test is the solution here.
Even if you do have a set of hearing aids (and you should), there’s another complication: you might lose them. It’s frequently a chaotic scene when you have to go in for a hospital stay. So the possibility of losing your hearing aid is definitely present. Knowing how to deal with hearing aids during a hospital stay can help you remain engaged in your care.
Tips for taking your hearing aids with you during a hospital stay
Knowing how to get ready for a hospital stay when you have hearing loss can prevent a lot of headaches (and other discomfort) in the future. There are some easy things you can do:
- 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.
- Keep your eye on your battery’s charge. Bring spares if you need them and charge your hearing aids when you can.
- Whenever you can, wear your hearing aids, and put them in their case when you aren’t using them.
- 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.
- In a hospital environment, you should always advocate for yourself and ask your loved ones to advocate for you.
Communication with the hospital at every phase is key here. Your doctors and nurses should be made aware of your hearing loss.
Hearing loss can cause health issues
It’s important to realize that your hearing health and your general health are closely linked. After all your overall health can be substantially impacted by your hearing. Hearing loss is like any other health problem in that it needs to be treated as soon as possible.
The power to avoid Tom’s fate is in your hands. Keep your hearing aids close the next time you have to go in for a hospital stay.
