Your brain can be helped by treating your loss of hearing. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of researchers out of the University of Manchester. These researchers considered a group of more than 2000 individuals over the course of almost twenty years (1996 to 2014). The outstanding findings? Treating your hearing loss can delay dementia by as much as 75%.
That is not an insignificant number.
But is it really that surprising? The importance of the finding, of course, is still relevant, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But the insight we already have coordinates with these findings: as you age, it’s vital to treat your hearing loss if you want to hold off cognitive decline.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
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?). There are many unrelated reasons for this. The main point here is: yet another piece of evidence, this research indicates untreated hearing loss can result in or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this imply? It’s simple in some ways: if you’ve observed any probable indications of hearing loss, make an appointment with us soon. And, if you need a hearing aid, you need to absolutely begin wearing that hearing aid as directed.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Correctly
Sadly, not everybody falls right into the practice of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits well. If you are experiencing this issue, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- 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.
- Peoples voices are difficult to make out. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adapt to hearing voices. There are things we can suggest, including reading along with an audiobook, that can make this situation go more smoothly.
- How hearing aids look concerns you. You’d be surprised at the variety of models we have available currently. Additionally, many hearing aid styles are created to be very unobtrusive.
Your future cognitive abilities and even your health in general are clearly impacted by using hearing aids. If you’re having difficulties with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Quite often the answer will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing specialist to make sure 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 significant than it ever was. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.
Dementia And Hearing Aids, What’s The Connection?, What’s The Link?
So why are these two health conditions hearing loss and dementia even associated in the first place? Specialists themselves aren’t completely sure, but some theories are associated with social isolation. Many people, when dealing with loss of hearing, become less socially active. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. All senses stimulate activity in the brain, and some experts theorize that the loss of stimulation can lead to cognitive decline over time.
Your hearing aid helps you hear better. Offering a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why a relationship between the two shouldn’t be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can slow dementia by as much as 75%.