Hearing loss is commonly accepted as just another part of the aging process: as we get older, we start to hear things a little less clearly. Maybe we begin to turn up the volume on the TV or keep asking our grandkids to speak up when they’re talking to us, or maybe we begin to forget things?
Loss of memory is also typically considered a normal part of aging as dementia and Alzheimer’s are a lot more prevalent in the senior citizen population than in the younger population at large. But is it possible that there’s a connection between the two? And could it be possible to protect your mental health and address hearing loss at the same time?
Hearing loss and mental decline
Most individuals don’t associate hearing loss with cognitive decline and dementia. But if you look in the right places, you will find a clear link: studies show that there is a significant risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-like disorders if you also suffer from hearing loss – even at fairly low levels of hearing impairment.
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in individuals who have hearing loss. The key point here is that hearing loss, mental health issues, and cognitive decline all affect our ability to socialize.
Why is cognitive decline affected by hearing loss?
While there is no solid finding or conclusive proof that hearing loss causes cognitive decline and mental health issues, there is some connection and several clues that experts are looking at. They have identified two main situations that they think result in problems: your brain working harder to hear and social separation.
Studies have shown that anxiety and depression are frequently the result of loneliness. And people are not as likely to socialize with others when they cope with hearing loss. Many people find it hard to go out to the movies or dinner because they can’t hear very well. Mental health issues can be the result of this path of isolation.
Studies have also shown that when somebody has hearing loss, the brain has to work overtime to make up for the reduced stimulation. The region of the brain that’s responsible for understanding sounds, such as voices in a conversation, requires more help from other parts of the brain – namely, the part of the brain that stores memories. This overworks the brain and causes cognitive decline to set in much faster than if the brain was able to process sounds normally.
How to prevent cognitive decline with hearing aids
Hearing aids are our first weapon against cognitive decline, mental health issues, and dementia. Research has revealed 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.
We would see fewer cases of cognitive decline and mental health problems if more people would just wear their hearing aids. Between 15% and 30% of individuals 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 cope with some form of dementia. 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 reaching out to us for an appointment.
References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
