Hearing loss is typically accepted as just another part of getting older: as we age, we start to hear things a little less clearly. Perhaps we need to ask people to speak up or repeat themselves when they talk. Maybe the volume on our TV keeps going up. We might even notice that we’re becoming forgetful.
Memory loss is also often regarded as a natural part of aging as dementia and Alzheimer’s are much more widespread in the senior citizen population than in the younger population at large. But what if the two were in some way related? And, better yet, what if there was a way to address hearing loss and also safeguard your memories and mental health?
The connection between mental decline and hearing loss
Mental decline and dementia aren’t usually associated with hearing loss. But if you look in the appropriate places, you will discover a clear link: if you have hearing loss, even at low levels, studies have revealed there’s a substantial risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline.
Mental health issues including anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in individuals who have hearing loss. The key here is that hearing loss, mental health problems, and cognitive decline all impact our ability to socialize.
Why does hearing loss affect cognitive decline?
While there is no solid finding or definitive proof that hearing loss causes cognitive decline and mental health problems, there is some link and numerous clues that experts are investigating. They believe two main scenarios are responsible: the inability to interact socially and your brain working overtime.
Studies have revealed that depression and anxiety are often the result of isolation. And people are not as likely to socialize with other people when they have hearing loss. Many individuals who suffered from hearing loss find it’s too difficult to carry on conversations or can’t hear well enough to enjoy things like the movie theater. These actions lead to isolation, which can bring about mental health issues.
Studies have also revealed that when somebody has hearing loss, the brain has to work overtime to compensate for the diminished stimulation. Eventually, the part of the brain responsible for other tasks, like remembering, has to use some of its resources to help the part of the brain responsible for hearing. Mental decline will then develop faster than normal as the overworked brain strains to keep up.
How to stop mental decline with hearing aids
The first line of defense against mental health problems and cognitive decline is hearing aids. When people use hearing aids to manage hearing loss, studies have shown that they were at a decreased risk of dementia and had increased cognitive function.
If more people used their hearing aids, we may see fewer instances of mental health problems and cognitive decline. Between 15% and 30% of individuals who require hearing aids actually use them, which accounts for between 4.5 million and 9 million people. The World Health Organization estimates that there are nearly 50 million people who cope with some form of dementia. For many people and families, the quality of life will be enhanced if hearing aids can reduce that number by even a couple million people.
Are you ready to improve your hearing and safeguard 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
