An inherent fear of Alzheimer’s disease runs rampant among seniors who deal with the symptoms of memory loss and impaired mental function. But the latest research shows that at least some of that worry might be unfounded and that these issues could be the consequences of a much more treatable affliction.

According to a Canadian Medical Journal report, the symptoms some believe to be a product of Alzheimer’s could actually be a consequence of untreated hearing loss.

For the Canadian study, researchers carefully analyzed participant's functional abilities associated with memory and thought and searched for any connections to possible brain disorders. 56 percent of those examined for cognitive impairment had minor to severe loss of hearing. Astonishingly, only about 20 percent of those individuals reported using a hearing aid.

A clinical neuropsychologist who served as one of the study’s authors said the findings back up anecdotal evidence they’ve noticed when seeing patients who are worried that they may have Alzheimer’s. In some cases, it was a patient's loved ones who suggested the visit to the doctor because they observed gaps in memory or diminished attention.

The Line Between Alzheimer's And Loss of Hearing is Blurred

It's easy to understand how someone could associate mental decline with Alzheimer's because hearing loss is not the first thing that an aging adult would think of.

Having your good friend ask you for a favor is a scenario that you can imagine. For instance, they have an upcoming trip and are looking for a ride to the airport. What if you didn't clearly hear them ask you? Would you ask them to repeat it? Is there any way you would recognize that you were supposed to drive them if you didn't hear them the second time?

It’s that line of thinking that leads hearing professionals to believe some people could be diagnosing themselves erroneously with Alzheimer’s. But it might really be a hearing problem that's progressive and persistent. Simply put, you can’t remember something that you didn't hear to begin with.

There Are Ways to Treat Gradual Hearing Loss Which is a Normal Condition

Considering the relationship between aging and an increased chance of hearing loss, it’s no surprise that people who are getting older may be experiencing these problems. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that just 2 percent of adults aged 45 to 54 have debilitating loss of hearing. In the meantime, that number jumps dramatically for older age brackets, coming in at 8.5 percent for 55- to 64-year-olds; 25 percent for 65- to 74-year-olds; and 50 percent for those 75-years or older.

While it’s true that progressive loss of hearing is a common trait of aging, people often just accept it because they think it’s just a part of life. In fact, the average time it takes for somebody to seek treatment for hearing loss is around 10 years. Worse yet, less than 25 percent of people will end up purchasing hearing aids even when they really need them.

Is it Possible That You Might Have Hearing Loss?

If you've thought about whether you have hearing loss severe enough to need to be addressed like millions of other Americans, there are a number of revealing signs you should consider. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

• Do I regularly need to increase the volume on the radio or television to hear them?
• How often do I have to ask people to speak louder or slower?
• Is hearing consonants challenging?
• Is it difficult to have conversations in a noisy room so you stay away from social situations?
• If there is a lot of background sound, do I have an issue understanding words?

Science has definitely found a link between hearing loss and Alzheimer's, however they're not the same. A Johns Hopkins study followed 639 people who noted no cognitive impairment over a 12 to 18 year period observing their progress and aging. The research found that the people who experienced worse hearing at the beginning of the study were more likely to get dementia, an umbrella term used to describe symptoms of diminished memory and thought.

There is one way you might be able to avoid any potential misunderstandings between loss of hearing and Alzheimer’s, and that is to undergo a hearing screening. The current thought in the health care community is that this screening should be a routine part of your annual physical, especially for those who are over 65 years old.

Do You Have Any Questions About Hearing Loss?

We can help with a full hearing evaluation if you think there may be a possibility you could be confusing hearing loss with Alzheimer's. Make an appointment for a hearing test right away.