The results of a preliminary study conducted by researchers at Eversound found a statistically significant improvement in resident mood with its assistive group listening technology. Data was collected from two memory care communities to investigate the short-term impacts associated with Eversound’s use. Standardized measures of mood were recorded before activities including exercise, trivia, and music and then were remeasured afterwards. Results showed that 35% of participants experienced improved mood and that mood improved by nearly 20% on average.

These results suggest that Eversound empowers senior living communities to more effectively improve resident quality of life in senior living, through enhanced hearing capability leading to more meaningful experiences. Currently, Eversound is the only group-based hearing technology shown to be effective and affordable in correcting for hearing loss and promoting engagement among residents at senior living communities. While hearing aids have been a popular option for many older adults, they are costly, easy to lose, difficult to operate, and result in feedback issues. Findings from this study suggest that Eversound serves as an effective alternative to hearing aids, which may enable senior living professionals to deliver better quality care.

Positive mood is associated with increased engagement among older adults residing in long-term care.1 Research also shows that improvement in hearing, mood and well-being lead to better health outcomes such as decreased risk of falls, decreased use of antipsychotic medication, and decreased hospitalization.2,3,4 Although larger studies are needed to confirm Eversound’s findings and investigate additional outcomes, this pilot data suggests that Eversound has the potential to improve the way that care is delivered among senior living communities. As hearing loss and social isolation continue to present significant challenges in the aging industry, technology for hearing and engagement have become essential.

Read the study abstract »

References

  1. Tesch-Römer, C. (1998). Daily activities and daily mood in old age. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 31, 257-262.
  2. Lin, F., Yaffe, K., Xia, J., Xue, Q., Harris, T., Purchase-Helzner, E., … et al. Health ABC Study Group. (2013). Hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173, 293–299.
  3. Gallacher, J., Ilubaera, V., Ben-Shlomo, Y., Bayer, A., Fish, M., Babisch, W., & Elwood, P. (2012). Auditory threshold, phonologic demand, and incident dementia. Neurology, 79, 1583-1590.
  4. Genther, D., Frick, K., Chen, D., Betz, J., & Lin, F. (2013). Association of hearing loss with hospitalization and burden of disease in older adults. JAMA, 309, 2322–2324.