The Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of related conditions, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. According to research, around 1 in every 20 people over the age of 65 suffers from dementia and the symptoms might range across various types of losses, including hearing loss.
In fact, partial deafness and hearing loss are strongly associated with dementia. Almost every third person between the age of 65 and 74, and half of the people older than that, have difficulties hearing. What’s more, there’s robust evidence that supports the notion that hearing loss can actually speed up brain shrinkage and exacerbate the symptoms of dementia. Studies actually determined a connection between the degree of hearing loss and the risk of future development of dementia. Hearing loss has been established as a strong predictor of age-related dementia, with a 27% increase in the risk for every 10 decibels of hearing loss.
What’s more, audible stimulation has been identified as a key feature for the treatment of dementia, so having good hearing is not only a preventative measure, but can also improve the quality of your life. Hearing loss can have a profound effect on the mental health of elderly adults by impacting their ability to communicate and interact successfully with others. This, in turn, might promote feelings of isolation, depression and can exacerbate the fear and anxiety associated with symptoms of dementia.
So, how could you identify whether you’re experiencing hearing loss? Common characteristics include problems hearing on the telephone, trouble hearing when there’s noise in the background or difficulties with accurately following conversations. Relatives of the hearing-impaired often complain that they turn up the TV volume too much or are constantly asking people to repeat themselves.
If you suspect that you, or a loved one, might be suffering from hearing loss, it’s important to seek professional advice. As hearing loss and dementia are both associated with aging, adults are advised to have annual ear health checkups in order to establish a bench-mark. If you notice that your hearing is impaired, your first step should be to contact a respected audiologist. They will be able to determine the type and degree of hearing loss and prescribe the most appropriate course of action, such as providing you with electronic hearing aids, referral for cochlear implants, lip reading coaching or an assistive listening device.
Hearing is essential for life, not just because it’s one of our primary senses. Being able to hear well is an important part of the effective communication and remaining engaged and communicative is of extreme importance to older adults.
“Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people” Helen Keller
Undergoing regular checkups and using hearing aids can prevent mental decline, reduce the symptoms of dementia, promote better quality of life and generally help you maintain your current relationships and lifestyle.
If you’re looking for support, guidance or assistance with hearing loss, get in touch with Hearing Healthcare Center. As specialists in the audiological field they can provide you with expert advice and help.
For more information to support this research, please visit http://www.audiology-worldnews.com/focus-on/1481-no-increased-cognitive-deficit-for-elderly-people-who-use-hearing-aids
