Hearing aids don’t just allow you to hear better, they improve your quality of life. Whether that means getting to enjoy an engaging conversation with friends out at dinner or going to your granddaughter’s piano recital at the Fine Arts Center of Easley, these are activities that keep you connected to your community and benefit your mind.
While the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline is one that is continuing to be established, multiple studies have found that hearing loss is a marker for cognitive decline and dementia, and that hearing aids may be a helpful intervention.
Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
A joint study by John Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who maintain their hearing, suggesting that interventions such as the use of hearing aids might be able to slow cognitive decline.
Other research appears to have indicated hearing aids could have an impact on cognitive decline and dementia. Several key examples include:
- A study in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that the use of hearing aids slowed down the process of cognitive decline by 75%.
- A JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery article found that untreated hearing loss was associated with cognitive decline, with the authors concluding, “although hearing loss and cognition are linked, untreated hearing loss drives the association. Social isolation is a mediating factor in the link for those who have untreated hearing loss.”
- Hearing aid use was associated with better memory of recalled words.
- A review of studies examining the use of hearing aids and cognitive outcomes showed multiple instances where the use of hearing aids was associated with a reduction in the rate of cognitive decline.
Conclusion
As with many health issues, the sooner hearing loss is addressed by a medical professional the better the future outcome will be not only in terms of hearing, but your overall wellbeing.
If you are experiencing hearing loss with or without memory concerns, please contact Elevate Audiology today.
Call to schedule an appointment at (864) 442-5555.