As we get older we begin to have difficulty hearing clearly and we typically just accept it as a normal part of the aging process. Maybe we need to ask people to speak up or repeat themselves when they talk. Maybe the volume on our TV keeps getting louder. We might even notice that we’re becoming forgetful.
Loss of memory is also often regarded as a normal part of aging because the senior population is more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and dementia than the general population. But is it possible that there’s a link between the two? And is it possible to maintain your mental health and address hearing loss at the same time?
Hearing loss and cognitive decline
Cognitive decline and dementia are not typically associated with hearing loss. But if you look in the appropriate places, you will discover a clear connection: studies reveal that there is a substantial risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-like conditions if you also suffer from hearing loss – even at fairly low levels of hearing impairment.
Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in people who suffer from hearing loss. Your ability to socialize is impacted by cognitive decline, mental health problems, and hearing loss which is the common thread.
Why does hearing loss impact cognitive decline?
While there isn’t any solid finding or conclusive proof that hearing loss causes cognitive decline and mental health problems, there is some association and several clues that experts are looking at. They believe two main scenarios are responsible: your brain working extra hard to hear and social solitude.
Many studies show that solitude leads to depression and anxiety. And people are not as likely to socialize with other people when they cope with hearing loss. Many individuals with hearing loss find it’s too difficult to carry on conversations or can’t hear well enough to enjoy things like the movie theater. Mental health issues can be the result of this path of isolation.
Additionally, researchers have discovered that the brain frequently has to work overtime to make up for the fact that the ears don’t hear as well as they should. The part of the brain that processes sounds, like voices in a conversation, requires more help from other parts of the brain – specifically, the part of the brain that stores memories. Mental decline will then progress faster than normal as the overworked brain strains to keep up.
Using hearing aids to prevent cognitive decline
The weapon against mental health issues and mental decline is hearing aids. When people use hearing aids to address hearing loss, studies have shown that they were at a lower risk of dementia and had improved cognitive function.
We would see fewer cases of cognitive decline and mental health problems if more individuals would just wear their hearing aids. Between 15% and 30% of people who need hearing aids actually use them, which accounts for between 4.5 million and 9 million people. Nearly 50 million people cope with dementia as reported by the World Health Organization estimates. If hearing aids can lower that number by even just a couple of million people, the quality of life for many individuals and families will improve exponentially.
Are you ready to improve your hearing and protect your memory at the same time? Get on the path to better hearing and improved mental health by calling us for an appointment.
References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
