Treating your loss of hearing can be good for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study out of a University of Manchester research team. These researchers looked at a team of more than 2000 participants over a time period of almost 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The unexpected results? Dementia can be delayed by up to 75% by managing your loss of hearing.

That’s a substantial number.


What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?

Scientific studies can be inconsistent and confusing (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The reasons for that are long, diverse, and not very pertinent to our discussion here. The main point here is: this new study is yet further proof that reveals untreated loss of hearing can result in or worsen mental decline including dementia.

So what does this mean for you? In many ways, it’s pretty simple: you need to come see us right away if you’ve observed any loss of hearing. And, if you require a hearing aid, you should absolutely start wearing that hearing aid as directed.

When You Wear Them Correctly, Hearing Aids Can Help Counter Dementia

Sadly, not everyone falls directly into the habit of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. Some of the reasons why are:

  • The hearing aid isn’t feeling as if it fits well. If you are suffering from this problem, please get in touch with us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
  • Voices are difficult to understand. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adjust to understanding voices. We can recommend things to do to help make this process go more smoothly, such as reading along with an audiobook.
  • You’re worried about how hearing aids look. Presently, we have a lot of designs available which might amaze you. Some models are so discreet, you may not even notice them.

Clearly wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future cognitive abilities. If you’re struggling with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Sometimes the answer will take patience and time, but consulting your hearing specialist to ensure your hearing aids are working for you is a part of the process.

And taking into consideration these new findings, managing your hearing loss is more significant than ever before. Hearing aids are protecting your hearing health and your mental health so it’s crucial to take that treatment seriously.

What’s The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?

So what’s the real connection between dementia and loss of hearing? Social solitude is the prominent theory but scientists are not 100% certain. When coping with loss of hearing, some people hide themselves away socially. Yet another theory concerns sensory stimulation. With time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then leads to mental decline.

Your hearing aid helps you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, delivering a more powerful natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why dealing with hearing loss can slow dementia by as much as 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be surprising that there is a link between the two.
