Your brain can be benefited by taking care of your loss of hearing. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of researchers from the University of Manchester. Over the period of about 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 people were studied by these investigators. The outstanding results? Managing your loss of hearing can slow dementia by up to 75%.
That is not a small figure.
And yet, it’s not really that unexpected. The importance of the finding, of course, is still relevant, that type of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the fight against dementia is important and eye-popping. But the information we already have coordinates with these findings: treating your loss of hearing is essential to slowing cognitive decline as you get older.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
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 many unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: this new study is yet further proof that implies neglected hearing loss can lead to or worsen mental decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? In certain ways, it’s quite simple: you need to set up an appointment with us as soon as possible if you’ve noticed any loss of hearing. And you really should begin wearing that hearing aid as advised if you discover you need one.
When You Use Them Regularly, Hearing Aids Can Help Prevent Dementia
Regrettably, when 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 isn’t feeling as if it fits comfortably. If you are suffering from this issue, please get in touch with us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- It’s hard to make out voices. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing voices again. We can suggest things to do to help make this process easier, such as reading along with an audiobook.
- 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.
- You’re concerned about how hearing aids appear. Presently, we have lots of styles available which might amaze you. Some styles are so subtle, you might not even notice them.
Clearly wearing your hearing aids is essential to your health and future cognitive faculties. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Consulting your hearing expert to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it demands time and patience.
And taking into consideration these new findings, dealing with your hearing loss is more important than ever. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are protecting your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?
So what’s the actual connection between hearing loss and dementia? Social isolation is the leading theory but experts are not 100% sure. When coping with loss of hearing, some people isolate themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. In time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, like hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then leads to cognitive decline.
You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. Supplying a natural safeguard 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 delay dementia by as much as 75%.