As we age we begin to have difficulty 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. Perhaps 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 could it be possible to safeguard your mental health and manage hearing loss at the same time?
The link between mental decline and hearing loss
Mental decline and dementia aren’t typically connected to hearing loss. But if you look in the appropriate places, you will discover a clear link: studies reveal that there is a substantial risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-like disorders if you also suffer from hearing loss – even at relatively low levels of hearing impairment.
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are also fairly prevalent in people who suffer from hearing loss. Your ability to socialize is impacted by cognitive decline, mental health problems, and hearing loss which is the common thread.
Why does hearing loss impact cognitive decline?
While there isn’t any solid finding or definitive proof that hearing loss causes cognitive decline and mental health problems, there is some association and numerous clues that experts are looking at. They think two main scenarios are responsible: the inability to interact socially and your brain working overtime.
Countless studies show that solitude brings about depression and anxiety. And when people suffer from hearing loss, they’re less likely to socialize with other people. Many people who suffered from hearing loss find it’s too hard to carry on conversations or can’t hear well enough to enjoy things like going to the movies. These actions lead down a path of isolation, which can lead to mental health issues.
Studies have also shown that when someone has hearing loss, the brain has to work extra hard to compensate for the diminished stimulation. The region of the brain that’s responsible for understanding sounds, like voices in a conversation, needs more help from other parts of the brain – specifically, the part of the brain that keeps our memories intact. This overtaxes the brain and causes cognitive decline to set in much faster than if the brain was able to process sounds normally.
Using hearing aids to stop cognitive decline
Hearing aids are our first weapon against mental decline, mental health problems, and dementia. When patients use hearing aids to manage hearing loss, studies have revealed that they were at a reduced risk of dementia and had improved cognitive function.
If more people wore their hearing aids, we may see less instances of mental health issues and cognitive decline. Between 15% and 30% of people who require hearing aids actually use them, which accounts for between 4.5 million and 9 million people. Almost 50 million people cope with dementia as reported by the World Health Organization estimates. If hearing aids can reduce 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 trouble? Contact us today and make an appointment for a consultation to learn whether hearing aids are right for you and to get on the path to better mental health.