Could a simple device hold the key to a healthier mind as we age? Discover the surprising link between hearing aids and a reduced risk of dementia.
There’s one commonly used item among the ageing population that could reduce the risk of dementia considerably. New research suggests that people who use hearing aids before hitting 70 can dramatically reduce their risk of dementia.
Dementia is a progressive disease that involves the loss of cognitive functioning, and it currently affects more than six million Americans, leading to more than 100,000 deaths each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The NIH says that as the U.S. population ages, dementia cases are expected to double by 2060. Meanwhile, nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Age-related hearing loss has long been a risk factor for developing dementia, and it’s linked to quicker shrinkage of the areas of the brain responsible for processing sounds and memories.
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However, according to a research letter published in JAMA Neurology on Monday, hearing aids could be the key to combating this risk.
The study examined nearly 3,000 participants over two decades. The researchers found that those with hearing loss who used hearing aids had a 61 per cent lower risk for dementia among those younger than 70 years at the time they were diagnosed with hearing loss.
However, it noted that 17% of people with moderate to severe hearing loss use hearing aids.
UCLA Health have three theories for the link between hearing loss and dementia, including the theory that hearing loss causes the brain to deteriorate at a faster rate.
They also say that your brain works harder to understand conversation when you can’t hear properly, and straining your brain regularly like this can harm your overall cognitive function.
Losing your hearing can also limit your social engagement, making talking in noisy environments less enjoyable and much more challenging. Without socialisation, your brain struggles to be intellectually stimulated, further contributing to cognitive decline.
According to the American Academy of Audiology, age-related hearing loss affects one in three people older than 60 and one in two older than 85.
There are many common signs of hearing loss, including frequently asking others to repeat themselves, needing to turn up the TV or radio volume more often, and generally finding it hard to hear in noisy environments. You could also find yourself misunderstanding what people say more often.
If untreated, hearing loss can go on to be connected to cognitive decline as well as depression, anxiety, paranoia and poor social relationships, warns The American Academy of Audiology.
If you suspect you might be suffering from hearing loss, it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible to avoid further health complications.
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