Your brain can be benefited by taking care of your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of analysts out of the University of Manchester. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 people were evaluated by these scientists. The outstanding findings? Dementia can be slowed by up to 75% by treating hearing loss.
That’s a considerable figure.
And yet, it’s not really that surprising. That’s not to detract from the importance of the finding, of course, that type of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the fight against dementia is noteworthy and eye-popping. But the insight we already have coordinates with these findings: as you age, it’s crucial to treat your hearing loss if you want to hold off dementia.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
You can’t always trust the content presented in scientific research because it can in many cases be inconsistent. There are many unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: this new research is yet further proof that indicates neglected loss of hearing can result in or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this mean? In some ways, it’s quite basic: if you’ve observed any potential indications of hearing loss, come see us soon. And you need to begin using that hearing aid as directed if you find out you need one.
When You Use Them Regularly, Hearing Aids Can Prevent Dementia
Regrettably, when most people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always immediately get into the habit of wearing them. The usual reasons why include:
- It’s challenging to make out voices. Your brain doesn’t always immediately adjust to hearing voices. We can recommend things to do to help make this process easier, such as reading along with a book recording.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it works the way it should. 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 doesn’t feel as if it fits comfortably. If you are having this problem, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- How hearing aids look concerns you. You’d be surprised at the assortment of designs we have available nowadays. Some models are so subtle, you might not even notice them.
Your future mental abilities and even your health as a whole are obviously affected by wearing hearing aids. If you’re trying to cope with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Consulting your hearing professional to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it calls for time and patience.
It’s more significant than ever to treat your loss of hearing specifically in the light of the new findings. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are protecting your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Connection Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So why are these two problems dementia and hearing loss even associated in the first place? Analysts themselves aren’t completely sure, but some theories are associated with social solitude. Some people, when dealing with loss of hearing, become less socially active. Another theory has to do with sensory stimulation. In time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, like hearing loss, the brain gets less activity which then causes mental decline.
Your hearing aid helps you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, offering a more powerful natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a relationship between the two shouldn’t be surprising and why hearing loss treatments can slow dementia by up to 75%.