Your brain can be helped by dealing with your loss of hearing. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of researchers out of the University of Manchester. These analysts examined a group of around 2000 individuals over a time period of almost twenty years (1996 to 2014). The surprising outcome? Managing your loss of hearing can slow dementia by as much as 75%.
That is not a small number.
But is it actually that surprising? The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, that kind of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the struggle against dementia is important and shocking. But it aligns well with what we currently know: treating your hearing loss is vital to slowing dementia as you age.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific studies can be inconsistent and confusing (should I eat eggs, should I not eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are lots of unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: yet further proof, this research implies untreated hearing loss can result in or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this indicate? In some ways, it’s quite straight forward: you need to set up an appointment with us right away if you’ve observed any hearing loss. And you need to start wearing that hearing aid as advised if you discover you require one.
When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Prevent Dementia
Sadly, when people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always immediately get into the habit of using them. The usual reasons why include:
- Peoples voices are difficult to make out. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adapt to recognizing voices again. There are some things we can recommend, like reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this endeavor go more smoothly.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits well. If you are having this issue, please let us know. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- The way hearing aids look concerns you. You’d be surprised at the wide variety of designs we have available nowadays. Plus, many hearing aid styles are created to be very unobtrusive.
- The way that the hearing aid is supposed to work, doesn’t seem 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.
Your future mental abilities and even your health in general are obviously impacted by wearing hearing aids. If you’re trying to cope with any of the above, get in touch with 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.
And taking into consideration these new findings, managing your hearing loss is more important than ever. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are defending your hearing and your mental health.
Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Connection?
So what’s the real link between dementia and hearing loss? Scientists themselves aren’t completely sure, but some theories are related to social solitude. When suffering from loss of hearing, some people seclude themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. Over the years, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then causes cognitive decline.
Your hearing aid will help you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, delivering a more powerful natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a link between the two shouldn’t be surprising and why hearing loss treatments can delay dementia by as much as 75%.
