Your brain can be benefited by dealing with your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of researchers from the University of Manchester. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were looked at by these investigators. The unexpected results? Dementia can be slowed by up to 75% by treating hearing loss.
That is not a small number.
But is it really that surprising? That’s not to detract from the weight of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical correlation between the battle against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: treating your hearing loss is imperative to slowing cognitive decline as you age.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
You can’t always trust the information presented in scientific studies because it can commonly be inconsistent. The causes for that are lengthy, diverse, and not very relevant to our topic here. The bottom line is: this new research is yet another piece of evidence that reveals untreated hearing loss can result in or worsen mental decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this mean? In many ways, it’s fairly straight forward: if you’ve observed any possible signs of hearing loss, come see us as soon as you can. And you really should start using that hearing aid as directed if you discover you need one.
When You Use Them Regularly, Hearing Aids Can Counter Dementia
Sadly, not everybody falls directly into the habit of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. Some of the reasons why are:
- You’re anxious about how hearing aids look. Nowadays, we have lots of variations available which might amaze you. Some models are so discreet, you might not even notice them.
- It’s challenging to make out voices. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adjust to understanding voices. There are some things we can suggest, such as reading along with an audiobook, that can make this endeavor go more smoothly.
- 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 isn’t feeling like it fits properly. If you are having this problem, please get in touch with us. We can help make it fit better.
Obviously using your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future mental faculties. If you’re struggling with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Sometimes the solution will take time or patience, but consulting your hearing specialist to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is a part of the process.
And taking into consideration these new findings, dealing with your hearing loss is more important than it ever was. Hearing aids are defending your hearing health and your mental health so it’s essential to take that treatment seriously.
What’s The Connection Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?
So what’s the real connection between dementia and hearing loss? Specialists themselves aren’t completely sure, but some theories are associated with social solitude. When coping with hearing loss, some people isolate themselves socially. A different theory has to do with sensory stimulation. Over the years, if a person loses sensory stimulation, like hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then results in mental decline.
You hear better with a hearing aid. Offering a natural defense for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why a link between the two should not be surprising and why hearing loss treatments can slow dementia by as much as 75%.
