Treating hearing loss may benefit your brain, according to a new study by researchers of the University of Manchester. These researchers examined a group of more than 2000 individuals over a time period of nearly 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting findings? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by treating loss of hearing.
That is not an insignificant number.
But is it really that surprising? That’s not to detract from the weight of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical correlation between the fight against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But the insight we already have coordinates with these findings: as you age, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to slow down dementia.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
Scientific studies can be perplexing and inconsistent (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are lots of unrelated causes for this. Because here’s the bottom line: yet further proof, this research suggests untreated loss of hearing can result in or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this indicate? It’s simple in several ways: you should come see us as soon as possible if you’ve noticed any hearing loss. And you need to start using that hearing aid as directed if you discover you require one.
When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Prevent Dementia
Sadly, not everyone falls directly into the habit of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The usual reasons why include:
- If you’re finding it difficult to understand people’s voices, you’re not alone. Your brain may need time to adjust to hearing speech more clearly again. There are simple exercises that can help, such as listening to an audiobook while following along with the printed or digital text. With practice and guidance, understanding conversations often becomes easier over time.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits properly. If you are suffering from this problem, 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 variety of models we have available currently. Some styles are so discreet, you may not even see them.
- The way that the hearing aid is advertised to work, doesn’t seem 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.
Wearing your hearing aids consistently is an important part of protecting your hearing, supporting your overall health, and helping to keep your brain active. If you’re experiencing any of the challenges mentioned above, don’t hesitate to contact us for an adjustment. It can take time and patience to adapt to hearing aids, and fine-tuning is often part of the process. By working closely with your hearing care professional, you can ensure your hearing aids are comfortable, effective, and tailored to your unique needs.
And in light of these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more significant than ever. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are defending your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Connection Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So why are these two conditions dementia and loss of hearing even linked to begin with? Experts themselves aren’t exactly certain, but some theories are related to social solitude. When coping with hearing loss, some people seclude themselves socially. Another theory has to do with sensory stimulation. Over time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain gets less activity which then causes mental decline.
Your hearing aid helps you hear more clearly while supporting your brain health. By keeping your brain engaged with the sounds around you, it may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and promote ongoing mental activity. That’s why taking care of hearing loss can slow dementia by as much as 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a link between the two.