It’s Possible to Delay Dementia Using Hearing Aids

Your brain can be benefited by taking care of your loss of hearing. At least, that's according to a new study by a team of researchers from the University of Manchester. These researchers considered a group of around 2000 individuals over the course of almost twenty years (1996 to 2014). The attention-getting findings? Dementia can be slowed by up to 75% by treating loss of hearing.

That is not an insignificant figure.

But still, it's not all all that unexpected. That's not to detract from the importance of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But it aligns well with what we already know: treating your loss of hearing is essential to slowing dementia as you get older.

How am I Impacted by This Research?

You can't always trust the information provided in scientific studies because it can often be contradictory. There are lots of unrelated reasons for this. The bottom line is: this new research is yet further proof that indicates untreated loss of hearing can lead to or exacerbate cognitive decline including dementia.

So for you personally, what does this mean? It's very simple in some ways: you should set up an appointment with us as soon as possible if you've observed any hearing loss. And you really should start using that hearing aid as directed if you find out you need one.

When You Use Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Help Counter Dementia

Sadly, not everybody falls right into the practice of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:

• It's difficult to make out voices. In many instances, it takes time for your brain to adjust to recognizing voices again. We can suggest things to do to help make this process go more smoothly, like reading along with an audiobook.
• The hearing aid isn't feeling like it fits perfectly. If you are experiencing this issue, please give us a call. We can help make it fit better.
• The hearing aid doesn't feel like it works the way it should. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
• You're anxious about how hearing aids look. Today, we have lots of variations available which may amaze you. Also, many hearing aid styles are designed to be very unobtrusive.

Clearly using your hearing aids is important to your health and future mental abilities. If you're trying to cope with any of the above, come see us for an adjustment. Working with your hearing professional to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it demands time and patience.

It's more important than ever to deal with your loss of hearing specifically in the light of the new findings. Hearing aids are defending your hearing health and your mental health so it's essential to be serious about treatment.

What's The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?

So what's the actual connection between dementia and hearing loss? Social solitude is the prominent theory but experts are not completely sure. Some people, when dealing with hearing loss, become less socially active. Another theory concerns sensory stimulation. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some researchers theorize that the loss of stimulation can cause cognitive decline over time.

You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. Supplying a natural defense for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That's why taking care of hearing loss can delay dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn't be surprising that there is a link between the two.