Treating your loss of hearing 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 looked at a group of around 2000 individuals over the course of just about twenty years (1996 to 2014). The outstanding results? Dementia can be delayed by as much as 75% by managing your hearing loss.
That’s a substantial number.
And yet, it’s not really that surprising. That’s not to take away from the significance of the finding, of course, that kind of statistical relationship between hearing loss treatment and the struggle against dementia is noteworthy and shocking. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to hold off dementia.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
You can’t always believe the information provided in scientific research because it can frequently be contradictory. The causes for that are long, diverse, and not very pertinent to our discussion here. Because here’s the main point: yet further proof, this research suggests neglected hearing loss can lead to or worsen mental decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? It’s straightforward in several ways: if you’ve been noticing any possible indications of hearing loss, schedule an appointment with us as soon as you can. And, if you need a hearing aid, you need to definitely start using that hearing aid as advised.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Regularly
Unfortunately, when most people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always instantly get into the habit of wearing them. The often cited reasons why include:
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits comfortably. If you are experiencing this issue, please give us a call. We can help make it fit better.
- 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.
- Voices are difficult to understand. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing voices again. We can suggest things to do to help make this process go more smoothly, like reading along with a book recording.
- How hearing aids look worries you. Presently, we have lots of designs available which might surprise you. Some styles are so subtle, you may not even notice them.
Your future cognitive faculties and even your overall health are obviously affected by wearing hearing aids. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Sometimes the solution will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing specialist to make sure your hearing aids work for you is a part of the process.
It’s more important than ever to take care of your hearing loss especially in the light of the new findings. Hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing health and your mental health so it’s crucial to take that treatment seriously.
What’s The Connection Between Dementia And Hearing Aids?
So what’s the actual link between dementia and loss of hearing? Social isolation is the prominent theory but experts are not completely certain. Many people, when dealing with loss of hearing, become less socially active. Sensory stimulation is the basis of another theory. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some scientists theorize that losing stimulation can result in cognitive decline over time.
You hear better with a hearing aid. And that can help keep your brain active, providing a more potent natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why a relationship between the two should not be unexpected and why hearing loss treatments can delay dementia by as much as 75%.