Treating your loss of hearing can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of researchers from the University of Manchester. These analysts looked at a team of around 2000 participants over a time period of approximately 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting findings? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by managing your hearing loss.
That is not a small figure.
But still, it’s not all that surprising. The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, that sort of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the fight against dementia is noteworthy and stunning. But the insight we already have aligns well with these findings: treating your loss of hearing is vital to slowing cognitive decline as you get older.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
Scientific studies can be inconsistent and confusing (should I eat eggs, should I not eat eggs? How about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The reasons for that are long, diverse, and not all that relevant to our topic here. Because here’s the main point: yet further proof, this research reveals untreated loss of hearing can lead to or worsen cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? In certain ways, it’s fairly simple: if you’ve observed any probable symptoms of hearing loss, come see us in the near future. And, if you require a hearing aid, you should definitely start using that hearing aid as advised.
When You Use Them Regularly, Hearing Aids Can Prevent Dementia
Sadly, not everyone falls directly into the habit of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits comfortably. If you are having this issue, please get in touch with us. We can help make it fit better.
- 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.
- Peoples voices are difficult to make out. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adjust to understanding voices. We can suggest things to do to help make this endeavor go more smoothly, such as reading along with an audiobook.
- The way hearing aids look concerns you. Today, we have a lot of styles available which might surprise you. In addition, many hearing aid models are manufactured to be very discreet.
Your future mental faculties and even your health as a whole are clearly impacted by wearing hearing aids. We can help if you’re struggling with any of the above. Sometimes the solution will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing professional to ensure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process.
And taking into consideration these new findings, dealing with your hearing loss is more important than ever before. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.
Dementia And Hearing Aids, What’s The Connection?, What’s The Link?
So what’s the real connection between loss of hearing and dementia? Social isolation is the leading theory but experts are not 100% sure. Some people, when faced with hearing loss, become less socially active. Another theory has to do with sensory stimulation. Over the years, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain gets less activity which then causes cognitive decline.
You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. Delivering a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. 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.