New research suggests hearing aids may help people live longer, showing that such devices reduce the risk of death by almost 25 percent.

Hearing loss affects tens of millions of people around the world—but only one in 10 who need hearing aids use them.

Those who refuse their doctor’s advice to wear hearing aids may want to make a New Year’s resolutions to wear one, according to Scientists at the University of Southern California who conducted a new study published in The Lancet journal Healthy Longevity.

“We found that adults with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids had a 24 percent lower risk of mortality than those who never wore them,” said lead research Dr. Janet Choi.

“These results are exciting because they suggest that hearing aids may play a protective role in people’s health and prevent early death.”

Previous research has shown that untreated hearing loss can result in a reduced life span, and higher levels of depression and dementia, but there’s been little research examining if the use of hearing aids can reduce the risk of death.

Researchers found that the almost 25% difference in mortality risk between regular hearing aid users and never-users remained steady, regardless of variables such as the degree of hearing loss (from mild to severe); age, ethnicity, income, education and other demographics; and medical history.

There was no difference in mortality risk between non-regular users and never users, indicating that occasional hearing aid use may not provide any life-extending benefit.

While the study didn’t examine why the hearing aids may help people live longer, but Dr. Choi pointed to recent research linking hearing aid use with lower levels of depression and dementia.

She believes the improvements in mental health and cognition that come with improved hearing can promote better overall health.