Taking care of your loss of hearing can be good for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study from a University of Manchester research group. These analysts considered a group of around 2000 participants over a time period of almost 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The outstanding findings? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by managing your hearing loss.
That is not a small figure.
But is it really that surprising? That’s not to take away from the significance of the finding, of course, that sort of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the fight against dementia is noteworthy and shocking. But it aligns well with what we already know: treating your hearing loss is essential to slowing cognitive decline as you get older.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
Scientific studies can be contradictory and confusing (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? How about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are countless unrelated causes for this. Because here’s the main point: yet another piece of evidence, this research implies untreated hearing loss can lead to or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? It’s straightforward in several ways: if you’ve been noticing any possible indications of hearing loss, come see us soon. And, if you need a hearing aid, you need to absolutely begin wearing that hearing aid as directed.
Hearing Aids Help Prevent Dementia When You Wear Them Correctly
Unfortunately, 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:
- The hearing aid doesn’t seem 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 way hearing aids look concerns you. Presently, we have a lot of designs available which may amaze you. Some models are so discreet, you might not even see them.
- Voices are difficult to understand. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adjust to understanding voices. We can suggest things to do to help make this endeavor go more smoothly, like reading along with an audiobook.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits properly. If you are having this issue, please contact us. We can help make it fit better.
Your future mental faculties and even your health as a whole are clearly impacted by wearing hearing aids. We can help if you’re struggling with any of the above. Quite often the solution 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 in light of these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more important than it ever was. Hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing health and your mental health so it’s important to take that treatment seriously.
What’s The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?
So why are these two problems dementia and hearing loss even associated to begin with? Social solitude is the leading theory but experts are not 100% sure. When dealing with loss of hearing, some people hide themselves away socially. Yet another theory relates to sensory stimulation. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that losing stimulation can result in cognitive decline over time.
You hear better with a hearing aid. Offering a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. 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%.