Your brain can be benefited by taking care of your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study from a University of Manchester research group. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were studied by these scientists. The attention-getting results? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by treating hearing loss.
That is not a small number.
But is it actually that surprising? That’s not to detract from the significance of the finding, of course, that kind of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the struggle against dementia is noteworthy and shocking. But the insight we already have aligns well with these findings: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your hearing loss if you want to delay dementia.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific studies can be perplexing and contradictory (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). The causes for that are long, varied, and not really that relevant to our topic here. The main point here is: this new study is yet further proof that reveals untreated hearing loss can result in or worsen cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? It’s straightforward in some ways: you should set up an appointment with us as soon as possible if you’ve noticed any loss of hearing. And, if you require a hearing aid, you should absolutely begin wearing that hearing aid as directed.
When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Forestall Dementia
Regrettably, when people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always instantly get into the habit of wearing them. The usual reasons why include:
- The hearing aid doesn’t seem like it works as advertised. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
- Voices are difficult to make out. In some situations, it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing voices again. There are some things we can recommend, including reading along with an audiobook, that can make this endeavor go more smoothly.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it fits well. If you are suffering from this issue, please give us a call. We can help make it fit better.
- The way hearing aids look worries you. You’d be amazed at the wide variety of styles we have available now. Some models are so subtle, you might not even see them.
Obviously wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future cognitive abilities. If you’re struggling with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Sometimes the answer will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing professional to ensure your hearing aids work for you is a part of the process.
And in light of these new findings, dealing with your hearing loss is more important than ever. Hearing aids are defending your hearing health and your mental health so it’s important to be serious about treatment.
Dementia And Hearing Aids, What’s The Connection?, What’s The Link?
So why are these two problems loss of hearing and dementia even linked to begin with? Specialists themselves aren’t completely certain, but some theories are related to social solitude. Some people, when faced with hearing loss, become less socially active. Yet another theory concerns sensory stimulation. Over time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then causes mental decline.
Your hearing aid will help you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, supplying a more powerful natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why dealing with hearing loss can slow dementia by as much as 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be surprising that there is a connection between the two.
