Treating your loss of hearing 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. These analysts looked at a group of more than 2000 participants over the course of almost 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The unexpected outcome? Managing your hearing loss can delay dementia by as much as 75%.
That’s a significant figure.
But is it actually that surprising? That’s not to take away from the significance of the finding, of course, that type of statistical connection between hearing loss treatment and the struggle against dementia is important and stunning. But the information we already have aligns well with these findings: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your hearing loss if you want to delay cognitive decline.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific research can be confusing and inconsistent (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? How about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The causes for that are long, diverse, and not very pertinent to our discussion here. The bottom line is: yet another piece of evidence, this research suggests untreated hearing loss can result in or worsen mental decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? It’s very simple in many ways: you need to come see us right away if you’ve observed any loss of hearing. And you need to start using that hearing aid as directed if you find out you need one.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Regularly
Sadly, when 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.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits comfortably. If you are experiencing this problem, please get in touch with us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. Presently, we have a lot of variations available which might surprise you. Some styles are so subtle, you may not even notice them.
- It’s challenging to make out voices. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing voices again. There are some things we can recommend, like reading along with an audiobook, that can make this situation easier.
Obviously wearing your hearing aids is essential to your health and future cognitive faculties. If you’re trying to cope with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Sometimes the answer will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing specialist to ensure your hearing aids work for you is just part of the process.
And taking into consideration these new findings, managing your hearing loss is more important than ever. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Link Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So what’s the real link between dementia and hearing loss? Social solitude is the prominent theory but experts are not 100% certain. When suffering from loss of hearing, some people hide themselves away socially. A different theory refers to sensory stimulation. All senses stimulate activity in the brain, and some experts theorize that losing stimulation can result in cognitive decline over a period of time.
Your hearing aid helps you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, providing a more effective natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a relationship between the two should not be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can slow down dementia by up to 75%.