Treating your hearing loss can be good for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of researchers from the University of Manchester. Over the period of about 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 people were studied by these investigators. The outstanding findings? Treating your loss of hearing can delay dementia by up to 75%.
That’s a substantial number.
But is it really that surprising? The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, this is an important statistical connection between the battle against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But the information we already have coordinates with these findings: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to delay cognitive decline.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific studies can be inconsistent and confusing (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are countless unrelated reasons for this. The main point here is: yet another piece of evidence, this research reveals untreated hearing loss can result in or worsen cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? It’s straightforward in several ways: you should set up an appointment with us right away if you’ve noticed any hearing loss. And, if you need a hearing aid, you should absolutely begin wearing that hearing aid as directed.
When You Wear Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Forestall Dementia
Unfortunately, not everyone falls directly into the practice of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. Some of the reasons why are:
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling like it fits properly. If you are experiencing this problem, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- You’re anxious about how hearing aids look. Presently, we have lots of models available which may surprise you. Some models are so subtle, 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.
- Voices are difficult to make out. Your brain doesn’t always immediately adjust to hearing voices. We can recommend things to do to help make this endeavor easier, like reading along with a book recording.
Obviously wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future mental abilities. If you’re struggling with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Consulting your hearing specialist to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it demands time and patience.
And in light of these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more important than it ever has been. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Connection Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So why are these two problems hearing loss and dementia even connected in the first place? Experts themselves aren’t exactly certain, but some theories are related to social isolation. When coping with hearing loss, some people hide themselves away socially. Yet another theory has to do with sensory stimulation. All senses generate activity in the brain, and some experts theorize that the loss of stimulation can result in cognitive decline over time.
You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. And that can help keep your brain active, supplying a more robust natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a connection between the two shouldn’t be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can slow down dementia by as much as 75%.