Your brain can be helped by dealing with your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study out of a University of Manchester study team. These researchers examined a team of more than 2000 individuals over a time period of nearly 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting results? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by dealing with hearing loss.
That’s a considerable number.
Nevertheless, it’s not really all that unexpected. The importance of the finding, of course, is still useful, this is an important statistical correlation between the fight against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But the information we already have aligns well with these findings: treating your hearing loss is imperative to slowing cognitive decline as you age.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
Scientific research can be confusing and inconsistent (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are many unrelated causes for this. The bottom line is: yet further proof, this research suggests untreated loss of hearing can result in or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this indicate? It’s simple in many ways: if you’ve been noticing any possible symptoms of hearing loss, come see us soon. And you should start using that hearing aid as directed if you find out you require one.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Regularly
Unfortunately, not everyone falls directly into the practice of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. Some of the reasons why are:
- 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.
- How hearing aids look worries you. Nowadays, we have lots of models available which may amaze you. Plus, many hearing aid models are designed to be very discreet.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits very well. If you are experiencing this issue, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- It’s hard to understand 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 endeavor easier.
Your future cognitive faculties and even your health in general are clearly impacted by using hearing aids. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Consulting your hearing professional to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it calls for time and patience.
And taking into consideration these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more important than it ever was. Hearing aids are protecting your hearing health and your mental health so it’s vital to be serious about treatment.
Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Connection?
So why are these two conditions loss of hearing and dementia even linked to begin with? Social solitude is the leading theory but experts are not completely certain. When coping with loss of hearing, some people isolate themselves socially. Yet another theory concerns sensory stimulation. Over the years, if a person loses sensory stimulation, like hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then causes mental decline.
Your hearing aid helps you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, supplying a more powerful natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a connection between the two shouldn’t be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can slow dementia by up to 75%.