Taking care of your hearing loss can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of analysts out of the University of Manchester. These researchers looked at a team of more than 2000 participants over a time period of approximately twenty years (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting conclusions? Dealing with your hearing loss can slow down dementia by up to 75%.
That is not an insignificant figure.
Nevertheless, it’s not really that unexpected. That’s not to detract from the significance of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: as you age, it’s vital to treat your hearing loss if you want to slow down dementia.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
Scientific studies can be contradictory and confusing (should I eat eggs, should I not eat eggs? How about wine? Will that help me live longer?). There are many unrelated reasons for this. Because here’s the bottom line: yet another piece of evidence, this research indicates neglected hearing loss can lead to or worsen cognitive decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this imply? In some ways, it’s pretty simple: if you’ve been noticing any probable signs of hearing loss, schedule an appointment with us soon. And, if you require a hearing aid, you should absolutely start wearing that hearing aid as directed.
Hearing Aids Help Prevent Dementia When You Wear Them Correctly
Regrettably, not everyone falls right into the habit of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:
- Peoples voices are difficult to understand. Your brain doesn’t always immediately adapt to hearing voices. There are some things we can recommend, including reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this situation easier.
- You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. Today, we have lots of designs available which may amaze you. Some styles are so discreet, you may not even see them.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it fits perfectly. If you are having this issue, please get in touch with us. We can help make it fit better.
- 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.
Obviously using your hearing aids is essential to your health and future mental abilities. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Sometimes the answer will take patience and time, but working with your hearing specialist to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process.
It’s more important than ever to manage your hearing loss particularly in the light of the new evidence. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are defending your hearing and your mental health.
Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Link?
So what’s the actual link between loss of hearing and dementia? Social isolation is the prominent theory but experts are not 100% certain. Many people, when dealing with loss of hearing, become less socially involved. Yet another theory relates to sensory stimulation. All senses generate activity in the brain, and some scientists theorize that losing stimulation can cause cognitive decline over a period of time.
You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. And that can help keep your brain active, offering a more effective natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why treating hearing loss can delay dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be surprising that there is a connection between the two.