Taking care of your loss of hearing can be good for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study from a University of Manchester study team. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 people were studied by these analysts. The striking results? Dementia can be delayed by up to 75% by managing your loss of hearing.
That is not a small figure.
Nevertheless, it’s not all that unexpected. The significance of the finding, of course, is still relevant, this is an important statistical correlation between the battle against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But the insight we already have coordinates with these findings: treating your loss of hearing is vital to slowing cognitive decline as you get older.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
Scientific research can be inconsistent and perplexing (should I eat eggs, should I not eat eggs? How about wine? Will that help me live longer?). There are countless unrelated causes for this. The main point here is: this new research is yet further proof that reveals neglected loss of hearing can result in or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this indicate for you? In some ways, it’s pretty straight forward: if you’ve noticed any possible indications of hearing loss, make an appointment with us as soon as you can. And, if you require a hearing aid, you should absolutely start using that hearing aid as directed.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Correctly
Regrettably, not everyone falls directly into the habit of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The usual reasons why include:
- Peoples voices are difficult to understand. In some instances, it takes time for your brain to adapt to recognizing voices again. There are things we can recommend, including reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this process easier.
- You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. These days, we have lots of designs available which may amaze you. Some models are so discreet, you might not even notice 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.
- The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits very well. If you are suffering from this issue, please give us a call. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
Clearly wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future mental faculties. If you’re struggling with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Consulting your hearing professional to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it requires time and patience.
It’s more significant than ever to deal with your loss of hearing specifically taking into consideration the new evidence. Hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing health and your mental health so it’s vital to be serious about treatment.
What’s The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?
So what’s the actual link between loss of hearing and dementia? Scientists themselves aren’t exactly sure, but some theories are associated with social isolation. When suffering from loss of hearing, some people seclude themselves socially. Another theory refers to sensory stimulation. In time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then causes cognitive decline.
Your hearing aid allows you to hear better. Providing a natural safeguard for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why taking care of hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a connection between the two.