Introduction

Did you know that hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of dementia? However, a groundbreaking study has revealed that hearing aids can protect against this risk. In this article, we’ll delve into the study’s findings, emphasizing the crucial role of hearing aids in mitigating the impact of hearing loss on cognitive decline. Discover how this cost-effective and minimally invasive treatment can potentially safeguard your brain health.

Understanding the Study: Unveiling the Connection

A large-scale study utilizing data from the UK Biobank, which involved over 400,000 individuals aged 40-69, has shed light on the relationship between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and dementia risk. The results were remarkable: people with untreated hearing loss had a staggering 42% increased risk of all-cause dementia compared to those without hearing loss. However, for individuals with hearing loss who used hearing aids, the risk of dementia was no higher than that of individuals without hearing loss.

Addressing Specifics: Hearing Aids and Dementia Risk

The positive association of hearing aid use with dementia prevention extended not only to all-cause dementia but also to cause-specific subtypes. The study estimated that hearing loss contributed to 29.6% of dementia cases. However, by utilizing hearing aids, individuals experienced a significant reduction in the risk of dementia.

Factors Contributing to Protection: Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Depressed Mood

The study also highlighted the role of hearing aids in reducing dementia risk through various mediating factors. The use of hearing aids was found to decrease social isolation by 1.5%, loneliness by 2.3%, and depressed mood by 7.1%. These factors have long been associated with cognitive decline, emphasizing the profound impact hearing aids can have on overall brain health.

The Urgency of Hearing Aid Adoption: Statistics and Recommendations

Alarmingly, among the study participants, only 11.7% of individuals with hearing loss reported using hearing aids, despite the prevalence of hearing loss increasing with age and being more common in men. As the evidence continues to build, experts warn that hearing loss may be the most impactful modifiable risk factor for dementia in mid-life. Taking action by adopting hearing aids early on can potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia.

Hearing Aids and Cognitive Decline: Past Research and Future Possibilities

The study’s findings align with previous research from 2015, which demonstrated that the use of hearing aids almost eliminated cognitive decline. Moreover, the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care in 2020 suggested that hearing loss could be linked to approximately 8% of worldwide dementia cases. These findings further reinforce the significance of prioritizing hearing health as a crucial aspect of dementia prevention.

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Hearing Aids

The evidence is undeniable: hearing aids offer a remarkable solution to protect against the risk of dementia. By reducing social isolation, loneliness, and depressed mood, hearing aids can mitigate the impact of hearing loss on cognitive decline. With their cost-effectiveness and minimally invasive nature, hearing aids provide an accessible and proactive approach to preserving brain health.

Remember, it’s never too early to prioritize your hearing health. By using hearing aids, you can potentially safeguard yourself against the risks of dementia and enjoy a fuller, more connected life.

Sources: 
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00048-8/fulltext

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37062296/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/13/hearing-aids-could-help-cut-the-risk-of-dementia-study-finds

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-aids-higher-dementia-loss.html

Hearing is a fundamental part of daily life. It affects our ability to communicate with others, interact with the world and perceive potential dangers in our surroundings. Without this critical sense, all of the sounds we take for granted – the ones that inform our critical decision making, like approaching cars or blaring fire alarms – disappear into stark silence.

The impacts of hearing loss can be far-reaching, whether the diagnosis is mild or profound. In Australia, the Department of Health estimates that 3.6 million people suffer from some form of hearing loss. Perhaps more astoundingly, they believe that 1.3 million of them live with an aural condition that could have been treated. Why? Because many dismiss the common symptoms of hearing loss.

Thankfully, modern technology has made hearing impairment easier to remedy than ever before. Many diagnoses once considered permanent can now be helped with hearing aids.

Here are five common signs that it may be time to invest in a hearing device.

1. You watch people’s lips to understand what they’re saying

It’s natural to watch a person’s mouth as they speak to clarify what they’re saying – particularly if you’re in a noisy space – but if you struggle to understand any speech without visibility of the speaker’s mouth, your hearing may be compromised.

Often people with hearing difficulties don’t even realise their reliance on lip reading until they’re left to interpret speech alone. Try listening to dialogue without looking at the speaker to test whether you’re able to follow along, or get lost without the visual aid. If you fail to keep up, a simple hearing aid may work wonders in filling the gaps in your comprehension.

2. You find group conversations impossible to follow

Group conversations are stressful at the best of times. From competing sounds to loud voices yelling over one another, it can be tricky for those with hearing loss to follow along and decipher conversation. Add the fact that group catch-ups tend to take place in public spaces with background noise, and you’re in for a challenge. 

There are various methods which may ease hearing difficulties, such as moving conversations to a quiet space, or asking your friends to speak slowly, but these are stop-gaps and not long-term solutions. 

3. You need the volume up loud or subtitles on to watch TV

Watching television can be particularly challenging for those with hearing difficulties. Of course, higher volume and closed captions can ease the frustration of missing key dialogue on screen, but it hardly matches the experience of comprehending speech in key scenes as they unfold. 

The depletion of hearing is one obvious reason why you may struggle to watch television without subtitles, but there are other contributing factors, too. These days, movies and television programs are heavily produced and typically feature loud background music to build suspense or create a mood. If the volume of background music is too high or the frequencies too similar, it’s common for all sounds to blend into indistinguishable noise – particularly for those with hearing difficulties.

Thankfully, hearing aids can correct this problem for many people and bring enjoyment back to the living room.

4. You find long conversations draining

One common, yet often overlooked symptom of hearing loss is the feeling of fatigue after long periods of conversation. Studies in this subsector of audiology are relatively limited, but preliminary results by leading experts, Professor Fred Bess and Benjamin W. Y. Hornsby, suggest that ‘sustained speech-processing demands in a noisy environment,’ can result in significant fatigue – both in children and adults.

If you find yourself overcome by tiredness after a long day of listening, it’s probably an indicator that you’d benefit from a hearing aid product. 

5. You struggle to hear people on the phone

Do phone calls conjure feelings of dread in the pit of your stomach? For many with hearing loss, whether diagnosed or not, speaking on the phone is one of the biggest challenges they face day-to-day. While it’s easy to chalk this difficulty up to phone volume or line clarity, there’s a scientific reason behind it. 

Current mobile phone technology transmits between 300–3,400 hertz – just a fragment of the audible sound spectrum. However, parts of human speech can contain much higher frequencies. Any sounds which sit above that range may therefore not be transmitted. Linda Kozma-Spytek – a senior research audiologist at Gallaudet University – explained to the Philadelphia Inquirer that those with regular hearing can “fill in the gaps subconsciously,” while others with hearing difficulties may not be able to discern between words which sound similar. 

So, if your phone volume is cranked up to maximum but you still find yourself asking ‘pardon?’ everytime you take a call, it might be time for an audiology appointment. 

A hearing aid is not a universal device, just as most medical assistive machines. Hearing aids today have different levels of technology which are dedicated to distinct types of hearing loss. Hearing specialists consider factors such as the severity of the hearing impairment in determining the frequency to be programmed. Aside from that, patients can also customise the size, look, and comfort of their personal hearing aid.

Before anything else…

This article has these two assumptions as you are reading this: You have already talked to your audiologist, or you are going to. If not, you must. According to Australia’s Department of Hearth, more than 1.3 cases of hearing problems could have been prevented.

Certified hearing specialists or audiologists must be in charge of prescribing your hearing device. They will diagnose the kind of hearing loss you have, and they will plan the best course of action for it.

Now, the questions…

After consulting an audiologist, styles of hearing aids are laid out for you to choose. You don’t have to decide immediately. Invest enough time and effort to gather all the information you can get so you don’t waste money.

Here the critical questions to ponder which will determine the perfect hearing aid for you:

 What is my lifestyle?

Health consultant from Monkeyfoodz, David Wilson says, “working out regularly and watching your diet are important aspects of maintaining your ear health. While most people believe that hearing loss happens naturally due to aging, certain nutritional patterns and physical activities may decrease your risk of developing loss of hearing. 

Observe your daily activities. Does it require you to expose yourself regularly in a setting full of noise? Is your occupation heavily reliant on people’s speech? Create a list of activities that comprise most of your day, and your plans for the future, as well. Digital hearing aids today have background noise removal features that fit individual patient’s needs. Describe your everyday listening situations to your audiologist so they can suggest the most suitable device for you.

Hearing loss results in communication difficulties which can affect relationships, careers and quality of life.

Hearing is fundamental to work meetings, client phone calls and interactions with colleagues. It’s frustrating for your workmates if they have to repeat themselves all the time.

Being in noisy environments such as restaurants and family gatherings can (also) be difficult. Most people start to avoid social situations altogether, which can lead to isolation and depression.

Hearing aids have improved patients’ relationships, social lives and physical and mental health… “People who use hearing aids generally report noticeable improvements to their wellbeing and quality of life.”

After treatment, Dr Dadafarin reports patients have found they can better engage in conversation with family and friends, watch television at a normal volume and speak with people by phone with ease. Patients also feel more independent and self-confident after treatment, notice a difference in their relationships with family and friends, and may have greater engagement in the workplace.

“Modern hearing aids are very advanced and perform significantly better than older hearing aid models in noisy situations,” he says.

“They’re more discreet. Most are rechargeable and they can connect to your electronic devices such as smartphones and smart TVs. Some (hearing aids) can be inserted into your ears and stay for months at a time, even while showering, exercising and sleeping.”

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