Falls are some of the most frequent and scary injuries suffered by older adults, and generate billions in annual health care costs.
There are a lot of reasons why older adults are more prone to falls — from weakness or medication side effects to vision problems, slower reflexes and more.
In 2012, a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine determined that untreated hearing loss can also increase the risk of falling. Using data from several national health surveys, researchers found that people with mild hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling.
While more studies need to be done, one possible explanation they had for the increased risk of falls is a that a person with untreated hearing loss has less awareness of their overall environment, so are more susceptible to tripping and falling.
Help combat that risk factor by ensuring you can hear your best. A hearing professional can help. Consult with one by calling 1-888-908-1845, or by clicking here today.
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