Treating your loss of hearing can be good for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of analysts out of the University of Manchester. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were examined by these scientists. The surprising outcome? Dementia can be delayed by as much as 75% by dealing with loss of hearing.
That’s a significant number.
But is it really that surprising? The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, that sort of statistical correlation between hearing loss treatment and the battle against dementia is noteworthy and eye-popping. But it coordinates well with what we already know: treating your hearing loss is essential to slowing cognitive decline as you age.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific studies can be perplexing and contradictory (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The reasons for that are long, diverse, and not very pertinent to our topic here. The bottom line is: yet further proof, this research implies neglected loss of hearing can lead to or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? In certain ways, it’s quite basic: you should come see us as soon as possible if you’ve noticed any hearing loss. And, if you require a hearing aid, you need to definitely begin wearing that hearing aid as advised.
When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Help Prevent Dementia
Unfortunately, not everybody falls right into the practice of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:
- The hearing aid doesn’t seem like it works as advertised. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
- It’s difficult to understand voices. Your brain doesn’t always immediately adapt to hearing voices. We can suggest things to do to help make this endeavor easier, such as reading along with an audiobook.
- You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. You’d be surprised at the assortment of models we have available now. Some models are so subtle, you might not even see them.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits properly. If you are having this problem, please let us know. We can help make it fit better.
Your future cognitive faculties and even your health in general are clearly affected by using hearing aids. If you’re having difficulties with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Consulting your hearing expert to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it requires time and patience.
It’s more important than ever to manage your loss of hearing particularly taking into consideration the new findings. Hearing aids are protecting your hearing health and your mental health so it’s essential to be serious about treatment.
Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Connection?
So why are these two problems dementia and hearing loss even associated to begin with? Social solitude is the prominent theory but scientists are not 100% certain. When suffering from hearing loss, some people hide themselves away socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that the loss of stimulation can result in cognitive decline over a period of time.
Your hearing aid will help you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, creating a more robust natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a link between the two shouldn’t be surprising and why hearing loss treatments can slow down dementia by as much as 75%.