Why Treating Hearing Loss Can Help Fight Alzheimer’s

Because of the link between communication abilities and Alzheimer’s disease, treating hearing loss can make a big difference in improving quality of life.Approximately 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Although there is extensive research focused on this devastating disease, someone in the U.S. continues to develop it every 65 seconds. It is the sixth leading cause of death in America, with the number of cases expected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.

Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte reminds you that recent studies have found a connection between hearing loss and dementia. Although scientists aren’t exactly sure why there is a link between the two, there are some theories.

One belief is because the brain must work harder to understand people, it leaves less cognitive function available for memory abilities. Another rationale is that hearing loss tends to isolate people, providing less stimulation to their brain – cognitive function begins to decline as the brain is utilized less for communication.

The good news is that it appears treating an impairment with hearing aids can help prevent or slow cognitive decline.A large French study examined nearly 4,000 seniors over the course of 25 years, finding that those individuals who treated hearing loss with hearing aids saw no higher risk of cognitive decline than those with normal hearing. The belief is that wearing hearing devices helped cognitive processes by helping the individuals be more engaged socially and mentally.

Because there is no regaining cognitive function once it is lost, early detection is key to lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. If you or a loved one show signs of hearing loss, it’s important to not only recognize that but also to take action.

‍Schedule an appointment today with an audiologist to determine the level of hearing loss and proceed with a plan to address the impairment.

Being proactive in treating hearing loss can go a long way in not only improving one’s quality of life by promoting more social interaction, it can help prevent the progression of cognitive decline.For more information about services available at Audiology & Hearing Services, call us at 704-412-7975 or contact us online.