Your brain can be benefited by treating your hearing loss. At least, that’s according to a new study from a University of Manchester research team. Over the period of around 20 years (1996 to 2014), nearly 2000 individuals were looked at by these scientists. The attention-getting findings? Dementia can be slowed by up to 75% by dealing with hearing loss.

That’s a substantial figure.

But still, it’s not really that unexpected. That’s not to take away from the weight of the finding, of course, this is an important statistical correlation between the fight against dementia and the treatment of hearing loss. But the information we already have coordinates with these findings: treating your hearing loss is imperative to slowing cognitive decline as you get older.

What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?

You can’t always rely on the content presented in scientific research because it can frequently be inconsistent. The reasons for that are long, diverse, and not very relevant to our discussion here. The bottom line is: this new study is yet another piece of evidence that suggests untreated loss of hearing can lead to or worsen mental decline including dementia.

So what does this mean for you? It’s straightforward in several ways: if you’ve been noticing any possible symptoms of hearing loss, come see us in the near future. And, if you need a hearing aid, you should definitely begin wearing that hearing aid as advised.

When You Wear Them Regularly, Hearing Aids Can Prevent Dementia

Sadly, when people are prescribed with hearing aids, they don’t always immediately get into the habit of wearing them. The usual reasons why include:

• The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits perfectly. If you are experiencing this problem, please get in touch with us. We can help make it fit better.
• The way that the hearing aid is advertised to work, doesn’t appear to be the way it’s currently working. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
• The way hearing aids look concerns you. You’d be amazed at the range of styles we have available currently. Some models are so discreet, you might not even notice them.
• It’s challenging to understand voices. Your brain doesn’t always instantly adapt to hearing voices. There are some things we can suggest, including reading along with an audiobook, that can help make this endeavor easier.

Obviously using your hearing aids is important to your health and future cognitive abilities. If you’re struggling with any of the above, get in touch with us for an adjustment. Quite often the answer will take patience and time, but working with your hearing professional to make sure your hearing aids work for you is just part of the process.

It’s more important than ever to deal with your loss of hearing specifically in the light of the new findings. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing and your mental health.

What’s The Link Between Hearing Aids And Dementia?

So what’s the real link between loss of hearing and dementia? Social isolation is the prominent theory but scientists are not completely certain. When dealing with hearing loss, some people isolate themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. All senses trigger activity in the brain, and some scientists theorize that the loss of stimulation can result in cognitive decline over time.

You hear better when you wear your hearing aid. And that can help keep your brain active, supplying a more potent natural defense against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why treating hearing loss can slow dementia by up to 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a connection between the two.