Taking care of your loss of hearing can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of analysts from the University of Manchester. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were examined by these analysts. The striking results? Treating your hearing loss can slow down dementia by up to 75%.
That is not a small figure.
But is it actually that surprising? That’s not to detract from the significance of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical connection between the fight against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But the insight we already have aligns well with these findings: as you age, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to hold off dementia.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific research can be contradictory and perplexing (should I eat eggs, should I not eat eggs? How about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are many unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: yet another piece of evidence, this research implies untreated loss of hearing can result in or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? It’s straightforward in some ways: you should come see us immediately if you’ve observed any loss of hearing. And you should start using that hearing aid as advised if you discover you need one.
When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Forestall Dementia
Unfortunately, not everybody falls right into the practice of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The usual reasons why include:
- The way hearing aids look worries you. Presently, we have lots of variations available which might amaze you. Some models are so subtle, you might not even notice them.
- It’s challenging to make out voices. In some cases, it takes time for your brain to adjust to recognizing voices again. There are some things we can recommend, like reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this process go more smoothly.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling like it fits very well. If you are suffering from this problem, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- The way that the hearing aid is supposed to work, doesn’t appear to be the way it’s currently working. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
Obviously wearing your hearing aids is important to your health and future mental faculties. If you’re having difficulties with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. At times the answer will take time or patience, but working with your hearing professional to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is a part of the process.
It’s more important than ever to manage your loss of hearing specifically in the light of the new findings. Hearing aids are protecting your hearing health and your mental health so it’s essential to take that treatment seriously.
Dementia And Hearing Aids, What’s The Connection?, What’s The Connection?
So what’s the real link between dementia and loss of hearing? Analysts themselves aren’t completely sure, but some theories are related to social solitude. When dealing with loss of hearing, some people hide themselves away socially. Yet another theory concerns sensory stimulation. Over time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain gets less activity which then causes mental decline.
You hear better with a hearing aid. And that can help keep your brain active, creating a more powerful natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why treating hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be surprising that there is a connection between the two.