As we age we start to have trouble hearing clearly and we normally 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 going up. We might even discover that we’re becoming forgetful.
Loss of memory is also commonly regarded as a normal part of aging because the senior population is more prone to Alzheimer’s and dementia than the younger population. But is it possible that there’s a link between the two? And, even better, what if there was a way to manage hearing loss and also safeguard your memories and mental health?
Hearing loss and mental decline
Most individuals don’t connect hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia. However, the connection is very clear if you look in the right places: if you’re experiencing hearing loss, even at low levels, studies have revealed there’s a significant risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline.
Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in people who have hearing loss. The key here is that hearing loss, mental health issues, and cognitive decline all influence our ability to socialize.
Why does hearing loss impact cognitive decline?
There is a connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, and though there’s no concrete proof that there is a direct cause and effect relationship, experts are looking at some compelling clues. They think two main situations are responsible: the inability to interact socially and your brain working overtime.
Countless studies show that solitude results in anxiety and depression. And when people have hearing loss, they’re less likely to socialize with others. Many individuals find it hard to go out to the movies or dinner because they can’t hear very well. Mental health issues can be the outcome of this path of solitude.
Studies have also revealed that when someone has hearing impairment, the brain has to work extra hard to compensate for the diminished stimulation. Ultimately, the part of the brain in charge of other tasks, like holding memories, has to use some of its resources to help the region of the brain responsible for hearing. Cognitive decline will then develop faster than normal as the overtaxed brain strains to keep up.
How to prevent cognitive decline with hearing aids
The first line of defense against mental health issues and cognitive decline is hearing aids. Research has revealed that patients improved their cognitive functions and were at a lower risk of developing dementia when they used hearing aids to fight their hearing loss.
We would see fewer cases 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. The World Health Organization estimates that there are nearly 50 million people who suffer from some kind of dementia. If hearing aids can decrease 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 start hearing better – and remembering things without any problems? Contact us today and schedule a consultation to learn whether hearing aids are right for you and to get on the path to better mental health.
References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
