Your brain can be benefited by treating your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study out of a University of Manchester study group. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 people were examined by these researchers. The outstanding results? Managing your loss of hearing can slow dementia by as much as 75%.
That’s a substantial number.
But is it really that surprising? The importance of the finding, of course, is still relevant, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: as you age, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to hold off cognitive decline.
How am I Impacted by This Research?
You can’t always rely on the information presented in scientific studies because it can in many cases be inconsistent. The causes for that are long, diverse, and not very relevant to our topic here. The main point here is: this new study is yet another piece of evidence that suggests neglected hearing loss can result in or exacerbate mental decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? In many ways, it’s pretty straight forward: if you’ve noticed any potential symptoms of hearing loss, make an appointment with us in the near future. And you should start wearing that hearing aid as advised if you find out you require one.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Use Them Correctly
Regrettably, not everyone falls right into the habit of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The usual reasons why include:
- It’s hard to understand voices. In many situations, it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing voices again. There are some things we can suggest, such as reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this process go more smoothly.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits properly. If you are experiencing this issue, please get in touch with us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- How hearing aids look worries you. Today, we have a lot of types available which might surprise you. Some styles are so subtle, you may not even notice them.
- 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.
Your future mental faculties and even your health in general are clearly impacted by using hearing aids. If you’re trying to cope with any of the above, come see 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 requires time and patience.
It’s more important than ever to treat your hearing loss especially taking into consideration the new evidence. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.
What’s The Connection Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?
So what’s the actual connection between dementia and loss of hearing? Scientists themselves aren’t completely certain, but some theories are associated with social isolation. When dealing with hearing loss, some people seclude themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the basis of another theory. All senses generate activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that losing stimulation can result in cognitive decline over a period of time.
Your hearing aid will help you hear better. Delivering a natural defense 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.