Treating your hearing loss can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study out of a University of Manchester study group. These analysts examined a team of more than 2000 individuals over the course of approximately 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting results? Dementia can be delayed by up to 75% by dealing with hearing loss.
That is not a small number.
Nevertheless, it’s not all that unexpected. The importance of the finding, of course, is still useful, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your hearing loss if you want to slow down cognitive decline.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific research can be perplexing and inconsistent (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The causes for that are lengthy, varied, and not really that relevant to our topic here. The main point here is: yet another piece of evidence, this research reveals untreated hearing loss can lead to or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? It’s straightforward in some ways: you need to come see us right away if you’ve observed any loss of hearing. And, if you need a hearing aid, you should absolutely begin wearing that hearing aid as advised.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Use Them Correctly
Sadly, when most people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always instantly get into the habit of wearing them. The usual reasons why include:
- The way that the hearing aid is advertised 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.
- It’s hard to make out voices. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adapt to recognizing voices again. There are things we can suggest, like reading along with an audiobook, that can make this process go more smoothly.
- The way hearing aids look concerns you. You’d be amazed at the range of designs we have available currently. In addition, many hearing aid models are created to be very unobtrusive.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it fits properly. If you are having this problem, please give us a call. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
Clearly wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future mental abilities. We can help if you’re having difficulties with any of the above. Consulting your hearing specialist to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it requires time and patience.
And in light of 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 important to take that treatment seriously.
What’s The Link Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So what’s the real connection between loss of hearing and dementia? Specialists themselves aren’t exactly certain, but some theories are associated with social solitude. Some people, when faced with loss of hearing, become less socially involved. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. All senses generate activity in the brain, and some experts theorize that losing stimulation can lead to cognitive decline over time.
You hear better with a hearing aid. Providing a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why a link between the two shouldn’t be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can delay dementia by as much as 75%.
