As we get older we begin to have trouble hearing clearly and we usually just accept it as a normal part of growing older. Perhaps we begin to turn the volume up on the TV or keep asking our grandkids to speak up when they’re talking to us, or perhaps we begin forgetting things?
Loss of memory is also often seen as a standard part of aging because the senior population is more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and dementia than the general population. But what if the two were somehow related? And, better yet, what if there was a way to treat hearing loss and also safeguard your memories and mental health?
Hearing loss and mental decline
Most individuals do not connect hearing loss with mental decline and dementia. However, the link is very clear if you look in the appropriate places: studies show that there is a significant risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-like disorders if you also have hearing loss – even at relatively low levels of hearing impairment.
Mental health problems like anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in individuals who suffer from hearing loss. The key point here is that hearing loss, mental health issues, and cognitive decline all influence our ability to socialize.
Why is cognitive decline impacted by hearing loss?
There is a connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, and though there’s no concrete proof that there is a direct cause and effect association, experts are investigating some compelling clues. They have identified two main scenarios that they think lead to issues: the inability to socialize and your brain working overtime.
Studies have revealed that depression and anxiety are often the result of loneliness. And when people have hearing loss, they’re not as likely to socialize with others. Many individuals find it hard to go out to the movies or dinner because they can’t hear very well. These actions lead down a path of isolation, which can result in mental health issues.
In addition, researchers have found that the brain often has to work harder to make up for the fact that the ears can’t hear clearly. Eventually, the part of the brain responsible for other tasks, like remembering, has to use some of its resources to help the region of the brain responsible for hearing. Cognitive decline will then progress faster than normal as the overtaxed brain struggles to keep up.
Using hearing aids to prevent cognitive decline
The first line of defense against mental health issues and cognitive decline is hearing aids. When patients use hearing aids to deal with hearing loss, studies have shown that they were at a lower risk of dementia and had improved cognitive function.
If more people used their hearing aids, we might see less cases of mental health issues and cognitive decline. Of all the people who need hearing aids, only between 15% and 30% actually wear them, that’s between 5 and 9 million people. Nearly 50 million individuals cope with dementia as reported by the World Health Organization estimates. If hearing aids can lower that number by even just a couple of million people, the quality of life for many individuals and families will be exponentially improved.
Are you ready to improve your hearing and safeguard your memory at the same time? Get on the path to better hearing and improved mental health by reaching out to us for an appointment.
References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health