Hearing loss is usually accepted as just a normal part of the aging process: as we age, we begin to hear things a little less clearly. Maybe we begin to turn the volume up on the TV or keep asking our grandchildren to speak up when they’re talking to us, or perhaps we begin forgetting things?
Loss of memory is also often considered a natural part of aging as dementia and Alzheimer’s are far more widespread in the senior citizen population than in the general population at large. But is it possible that there’s a link between the two? And, better yet, what if there was a way to manage hearing loss and also safeguard your memories and mental health?
Hearing loss and mental decline
Cognitive decline and dementia aren’t typically associated with hearing loss. However, the connection is quite clear if you look in the right places: if you have hearing loss, even at low levels, studies have shown there’s a considerable risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline.
Mental health problems like anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in people who suffer from hearing loss. The key point here is that hearing loss, mental health problems, and cognitive decline all affect our ability to socialize.
Why is cognitive decline impacted by hearing loss?
There is a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, and though there’s no concrete proof that there’s a direct cause and effect association, experts are investigating some persuasive clues. They believe two main situations are responsible: your brain working harder to hear and social solitude.
Many studies show that isolation results in depression and anxiety. And when people suffer from hearing loss, they’re less likely to socialize with other people. Many individuals find it difficult to go out to the movies or dinner because they can’t hear very well. These actions lead to isolation, which can result in mental health problems.
Additionally, researchers have discovered that the brain frequently has to work overtime to make up for the fact that the ears can’t hear clearly. The part of the brain that processes sounds, such as voices in a conversation, needs more help from other parts of the brain – namely, the part of the brain that stores memories. This overtaxes the brain and causes mental decline to set in a lot faster than if the brain was able to process sounds normally.
Using hearing aids to stop cognitive decline
The first line of defense against mental health issues and cognitive decline is hearing aids. Research has shown that patients improved their cognitive functions and were at a decreased risk of developing dementia when they used hearing aids to combat their hearing loss.
We would see fewer instances of cognitive decline and mental health problems if more individuals would just use 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. Almost 50 million people cope with dementia as reported by the World Health Organization estimates. For many individuals and families, the quality of life will be improved if hearing aids can reduce that number by even a couple million people.
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 a consultation.
References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
