As we get older we begin to have difficulty hearing clearly and we typically just accept it as a normal part of aging. Maybe we need to ask people to speak up or repeat themselves when they talk. Perhaps the volume on our TV keeps getting louder. We might even notice that we’re becoming forgetful.
Loss of memory is also often viewed as a standard part of aging because the senior population is more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and dementia than the general population. But is it possible that there’s a connection between the two? And could it be possible to maintain your mental health and treat hearing loss at the same time?
Hearing loss and cognitive decline
Most individuals don’t associate hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia. But if you look in the appropriate places, you will see a clear link: studies reveal that there is a substantial 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.
Individuals who cope with hearing loss also frequently deal with mental health issues including depression and anxiety. Your ability to socialize is impacted by cognitive decline, mental health problems, and hearing loss which is the common thread.
Why does hearing loss affect cognitive decline?
There is a link between hearing loss and mental decline, and though there’s no solid proof that there’s a direct cause and effect association, experts are looking at some compelling clues. They have identified two main situations that they think lead to issues: your brain working extra hard to hear and social isolation.
Studies have demonstrated that anxiety and depression are frequently the result of isolation. And people aren’t as likely to socialize with others when they cope with hearing loss. Many individuals with hearing loss find it’s too difficult to participate in conversations or can’t hear well enough to enjoy things like the movie theater. Mental health problems can be the outcome of this path of solitude.
In addition, researchers have discovered that the brain frequently has to work overtime to make up for the fact that the ears don’t hear as well as they should. Eventually, the part of the brain in charge of other tasks, like remembering, has to use some of its resources to help the part of the brain responsible for hearing. Cognitive decline will then progress faster than normal as the overtaxed brain struggles to keep up.
How to prevent cognitive decline with hearing aids
Hearing aids are our first line of defense against mental decline, mental health problems, and dementia. Research has shown that people improved their cognitive functions and were at a lower risk of developing dementia when they used hearing aids to fight their hearing loss.
If more people wore their hearing aids, we might see fewer instances of mental health issues and cognitive decline. Between 15% and 30% of people who need hearing aids actually use them, which accounts for between 4.5 million and 9 million people. The World Health Organization estimates that there are almost 50 million people who cope with some kind of dementia. If hearing aids can decrease that number by even just a couple of million people, the quality of life for many individuals and families will improve exponentially.
Are you ready to begin hearing better – and remembering things without any problems? Get on the path to better hearing and improved mental health by calling us for an appointment.
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References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health