As we get older we start to have trouble hearing clearly and we typically 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 notice that we’re becoming forgetful.
Loss of memory is also commonly viewed as a normal part of aging because the senior population is more prone to Alzheimer’s and dementia than the general population. But is it possible that there’s a connection between the two? And, even better, what if there was a way to treat hearing loss and also maintain your memories and mental health?
The connection between cognitive decline and hearing loss
Most individuals don’t connect hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia. But if you look in the appropriate places, you will see a clear connection: if you have hearing loss, even at low levels, studies have shown there’s a considerable risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline.
Individuals who have hearing loss also frequently deal with mental health issues including anxiety and depression. Your ability to socialize is affected by cognitive decline, mental health problems, and hearing loss which is the common thread.
Why is cognitive decline impacted by hearing loss?
There is a connection between hearing loss and mental decline, and though there’s no solid proof that there’s a direct cause and effect association, experts are investigating some persuasive clues. They have identified two main situations that they believe result in problems: the inability to socialize and your brain working overtime.
Studies have revealed that depression and anxiety are frequently the result of loneliness. And when people have hearing loss, they’re less likely to interact socially with other people. Many individuals with hearing loss find it’s too difficult to participate in conversations or can’t hear well enough to enjoy things like the movie theater. These actions lead to isolation, which can lead to mental health problems.
Studies have also revealed that when somebody has hearing loss, the brain has to work overtime to make up for the diminished stimulation. The region of the brain that processes sounds, such as voices in a conversation, needs more help from other parts of the brain – specifically, 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 could process sounds normally.
How to stop mental decline with hearing aids
Hearing aids are our first weapon against cognitive decline, mental health problems, and dementia. Research has shown that people improved their cognitive functions and were at a lower risk of developing dementia when they used hearing aids to fight their hearing loss.
If more people used their hearing aids, we might see fewer cases of mental health problems and cognitive decline. Of all the people who require hearing aids, only between 15% and 30% actually wear them, that’s between 5 and 9 million people. Nearly 50 million people cope with dementia as reported by the World Health Organization estimates. For many people and families, the quality of life will be improved if hearing aids can decrease that number by even a couple million people.
Are you ready to start hearing better – and remembering things without any trouble? Get in touch with us today and schedule a consultation to find out if 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