Taking care of your hearing loss can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a team of researchers from the University of Manchester. These analysts considered a team of around 2000 individuals over a time period of approximately 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The outstanding results? Dealing with your hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75%.
That’s a significant number.
But is it really that surprising? That’s not to take away from the weight of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical connection between the struggle against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But the information we already have aligns well with these findings: treating your loss of hearing is vital to slowing dementia as you age.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
You can’t always believe the content provided in scientific studies because it can frequently be inconsistent. There are many unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: this new study is yet further proof that suggests untreated hearing loss can lead to or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So for you personally, what does this imply? It’s simple in many ways: if you’ve observed any possible symptoms of hearing loss, come see us soon. And you should start using that hearing aid as directed if you discover you require one.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing 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. Some of the reasons why are:
- Peoples voices are difficult to understand. In many instances, it takes time for your brain to adapt to hearing voices again. There are things we can recommend, such as reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this endeavor easier.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling like it fits comfortably. If you are experiencing this issue, please give us a call. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- You’re anxious about how hearing aids appear. These days, we have a lot of models available which might surprise you. Some models are so subtle, you may not even see them.
- The hearing aid doesn’t seem like it works as advertised. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
Your future cognitive faculties and even your overall health are obviously impacted by wearing hearing aids. If you’re struggling with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Quite often the solution will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing specialist to ensure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process.
It’s more important than ever to manage your hearing loss especially in the light of the new evidence. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are protecting your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Connection Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So what’s the real connection between dementia and hearing loss? Specialists themselves aren’t exactly sure, but some theories are associated with social solitude. When suffering from hearing loss, some people seclude themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that losing stimulation can result in cognitive decline over time.
Your hearing aid will help you hear better. Offering a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why treating hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a link between the two.