Your brain can be benefited by dealing with your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study from a University of Manchester research team. Over the period of approximately 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were studied by these researchers. The striking outcome? Dealing with your hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75%.
That is not an insignificant number.
And yet, it’s not all that surprising. That’s not to detract from the weight of the finding, of course, that type of statistical connection between hearing loss treatment and the battle against dementia is noteworthy and stunning. But it coordinates well with what we already know: as you age, it’s essential to treat your loss of hearing if you want to slow down cognitive decline.
What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?
You can’t always trust the information presented in scientific studies because it can commonly be inconsistent. There are countless unrelated reasons for this. The main point here is: this new research is yet further proof that implies neglected hearing loss can result in or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.
So what does this mean for you? In certain ways, it’s quite simple: you should set up an appointment with us immediately if you’ve noticed any hearing loss. And, if you need a hearing aid, you need to definitely begin using that hearing aid as directed.
Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Wear Them Regularly
Sadly, when people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always immediately get into the habit of using them. The usual reasons why include:
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel 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.
- You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. These days, we have lots of variations available which might surprise you. Plus, many hearing aid models are designed to be very unobtrusive.
- The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits properly. If you are experiencing this problem, please give us a call. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
- It’s hard to understand voices. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adapt to hearing voices. We can recommend things to do to help make this process go more smoothly, such as reading along with an audiobook.
Obviously wearing your hearing aids is important to your health and future cognitive faculties. If you’re trying to cope with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Working with your hearing professional to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it demands time and patience.
It’s more significant than ever to deal with your hearing loss especially in the light of the new findings. Take the treatment seriously because hearing aids are defending your hearing and your mental health.
Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Link?
So what’s the real link between dementia and loss of hearing? Analysts themselves aren’t completely certain, but some theories are associated with social solitude. Some people, when dealing with hearing loss, become less socially involved. A different theory relates to sensory stimulation. All senses generate activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that the loss of stimulation can cause cognitive decline over time.
You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. Providing a natural defense for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why treating hearing loss can delay dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a link between the two.