Getting older usually means losing some hearing, but did you know even a mild loss of hearing can increase your chances of developing dementia?
The Link Between Hearing Loss & Dementia
At first thought, it doesn’t seem like hearing loss and dementia could even be related to one another. However, when you consider that we hear not just with our ears, but with our brains as well, the link between hearing and brain function is more easily understood. Your ears direct sound into your eardrum causing it to vibrate, these vibrations travel through your inner ear and are converted into signals for your brain to translate into the sounds you hear. So, hearing and brain function are very closely linked.
Hearing loss does not cause dementia, but it is definitely correlated with the development of it. When you have a loss of hearing, your brain needs to work harder by straining to fill in the gaps of the words it is missing. This strain can come at the expense of other brain functions like memory or thinking.
Hearing loss inhibits many people from taking part in social activities. If you’re unable to hear the conversations happening around you, you tend to feel isolated and stay away from gatherings. Feelings of isolation have been linked to the development of dementia.
Hearing loss has also been associated with a decline in brain volume, particularly in regions related to hearing. Although this link continues to be researched, brain atrophy may advance because of hearing loss.
Although hearing loss is not a root cause of dementia, it does put people at risk of developing dementia which is why any type of hearing loss should not be ignored.
Dementia is On the Rise
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Dementia is a collection of diseases that affect the brain, causing cognitive decline; the most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of dementia are progressive, meaning they start slowly and get worse over time.
Over 7 million people are living with dementia in the United States; by the year 2050, that number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. It is also estimated that roughly 9%, or 630,000, of the people living with dementia have some kind of hearing loss. That’s a large number of people with one risk factor, hearing loss, in common.
The degree of hearing loss someone has greatly impacts their chances of developing dementia. A study published in JAMA Neurology found those with mild hearing loss had nearly twice the risk of developing dementia as those with normal hearing. Those with moderate loss had three times the risk, and those with severe hearing loss had five times the risk.
If left untreated, hearing loss can increase not only the risk of developing dementia, but also the severity of the symptoms. Research suggests that wearing hearing aids to treat hearing loss may help slow the development of dementia, or cognitive decline.
Hearing Aids Can Help Defend Against Dementia
Depending on the type and severity of your hearing loss, hearing aids may help slow the progression or development of dementia. Hearing aids cannot fully restore hearing, but they can help in making conversations and social interactions easier, thus eliminating the feeling of isolation. The more socially engaged someone is, the less likely they are to develop dementia.
Having your hearing checked regularly, especially if you’re over the age of 60, is important. Hearing aids may prevent or delay the onset and progression of cognitive decline. Seeing an experienced audiologist for your hearing needs is also essential because of their expertise in diagnosing and treating hearing loss.
Audiologists can also prescribe and customize the best hearing aid for your personal situation. Not only will a qualified audiologist work to find the best solution to improve your hearing, they will remain a support system for questions and concerns about your hearing aids, as well as aid in adjustments that need to be made to your hearing aids.
The hearing specialists at Hearing Solution Centers are here to help you with your hearing care needs. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, or you’re over the age of 60 and it’s been awhile since you’ve had your hearing checked, make an appointment today. Keep dementia at bay with proper hearing care!
Reach out to the qualified hearing care team at Hearing Solution Centers today!