Loss of hearing isn’t just about not being able to hear conversations; it can also speed up the development of dementia. Although this might seem like an overstatement, there’s a significant body of scientific studies connecting hearing loss to dementia. Research has shown that individuals with hearing loss are 24 percent more at risk of experiencing a decline in cognitive function than those with “normal” hearing.
Since hearing loss can lead to the deterioration or shrinkage of brain cells, it plays a role in the brain damage that leads to dementia. Given that we understand that hearing issues can lead to dementia, it is one of the initial aspects we evaluate a patient for.
Maintaining a healthy brain requires constant engagement. Losing your hearing significantly reduces one of your primary senses, limiting the kind of input your brain requires to flourish. This reduction in stimulation can lead to a decline in the health of the brain cells that handle sound processing.
Losing your hearing can cause you to feel isolated as you might avoid social interactions if you struggle to understand what others are saying. This isolation can further decrease stimulation and lead to additional health issues.
Moreover, hearing difficulties can alter the brain’s structure and the connections between nerve cells. The cells that were once responsible for processing sounds may shrink or be moved to different areas of the brain. Research showed a significant decrease in brain volume: individuals with hearing problems experienced a loss of over a cubic centimetre of brain tissue annually compared to those with normal hearing.
This loss of brain volume results in a decrease in cognitive function. As the regions dedicated to speech and sound diminish, the brain has to exert more effort to gather information. This extra effort leaves less energy for other brain areas, like those involved in memory, to assist in processing the information.
However, there is hope – there are measures you can take to lessen the impact of hearing loss.
There’s a intricate connection between hearing impairment, loneliness, sadness, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Feeling unable to grasp what others are saying can result in one choosing to be alone. Instead of trying to engage in discussions with others, it’s simpler to skip them. Being alone can increase the risk of developing both sadness and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, being isolated socially has been linked to a 50% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The adverse impacts on brain function due to sadness can resemble those of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it can be difficult to tell the difference between sadness and Alzheimer’s disease because they share similar symptoms such as difficulty focusing, lack of interest, and loss of appetite, among others.
Moreover, the challenges in cognitive function caused by hearing loss can be similar to those of both sadness and Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulty in understanding is a side effect of both cognitive decline and hearing loss.
However, there’s hope – there are methods to lessen the impact of hearing loss.
Assessing hearing is the foremost concern. Naturally, we inquire about the patient’s hearing directly. Yet, diagnosing hearing loss on one’s own can be difficult.
Occasionally, individuals might claim they can hear well, yet when I question other relatives, they mention that they have to speak louder or that the television is set at an excessively high volume. This suggests there might be a degree of hearing loss, necessitating a deeper examination.
One common reason for hearing difficulties is the accumulation of ear wax, so we employ a scope to examine the ear canal. After ruling out ear wax as the issue, the following action is to direct the patient to an audiologist at Kilmarnock Hearing Centre for an appointment to confirm there’s no impairment in hearing ability. Should there be a loss, then the subsequent step could involve the use of hearing aids.
This stage often encounters opposition. Indeed, numerous adults delay seeking hearing aids for over a decade. Although there are legitimate worries about purchasing hearing aids, particularly concerning their expense, an audiologist can assist in devising a plan that suits your requirements.
It’s vital to seek a resolution due to the significant impact hearing has on the prevention of dementia. Research indicates that hearing aids can lower the likelihood of dementia diagnosis by 18%. Moreover, it’s thought that treating hearing loss may stimulate the nerve cells involved in processing sound, potentially restoring some of the lost function.
Some individuals feel self-conscious about appearing older. Fortunately, modern hearing devices are becoming more compact and discreet. However, hearing aids may be misplaced, lost, deplete their batteries, become uncomfortable, or be inconvenient to use.
A further worry is that hearing aids are typically not covered by insurance plans. While some policies include optional hearing aid coverage, these benefits are not commonly found. However, the good news is that they are becoming more affordable, with devices available over the counter.
Encouragement from family members is often a key strategy in convincing someone to use hearing aids. By highlighting that their support comes from a place of care, family can softly point out how the person’s hearing loss impacts everyone in the family. Better hearing will enable the individual to be more self-reliant and engage in their own activities, such as enjoying the sounds of a cheering audience at an event or the joy of their grandchildren’s laughter.
It’s important for family members to keep in mind that they cannot compel their loved one to use hearing aids. Doing so could lead to resistance. With the right support, it’s likely that the individual requiring hearing aids will recognise the necessity of these devices for a fulfilling life.