Your brain can be helped by taking care of your loss of hearing. At least, that’s according to a new study out of a University of Manchester study group. These researchers examined a team of more than 2000 individuals over the course of just about 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The outstanding conclusions? Dementia can be delayed by up to 75% by dealing with hearing loss.

That’s a significant number.

And yet, it’s not really all that surprising. The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, that kind of statistical connection between hearing loss treatment and the fight against dementia is important and stunning. But the insight we already have aligns well with these findings: treating your hearing loss is imperative to slowing dementia as you get older.

What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?

Scientific studies can be contradictory and confusing (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? What about wine? Will drinking wine help me live longer?). There are many unrelated reasons for this. The main point here is: yet further proof, this research reveals neglected loss of hearing can result in or worsen mental decline including dementia.

So for you personally, what does this imply? In certain ways, it’s pretty straight forward: you should come see us immediately if you’ve observed any hearing loss. And you really should start wearing that hearing aid as advised if you find out you require one.

Hearing Aids Help Prevent Dementia When You Wear Them Correctly

Regrettably, not everyone falls right into the practice of using a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:

• The hearing aid doesn’t feel as if it fits well. If you are having this issue, please give us a call. We can help make it fit better.
• The hearing aid doesn’t seem like it works as advertised. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
• You’re worried about how hearing aids appear. Nowadays, we have lots of designs available which might surprise you. In addition, many hearing aid styles are designed to be very discreet.
• It’s hard to make out voices. In many situations, it takes time for your brain to adapt to hearing voices again. We can suggest things to do to help make this process go more smoothly, such as reading along with a book recording.

Clearly wearing your hearing aids is crucial to your health and future mental faculties. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Working with your hearing professional to make certain your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it calls for time and patience.

And in light of these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more significant than it ever was. Be serious about the treatment because hearing aids are protecting your hearing and your mental health.

Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Connection?

So what’s the actual link between dementia and loss of hearing? Social solitude is the prominent theory but scientists are not completely sure. When suffering from hearing loss, some people isolate themselves socially. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. With time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, like hearing loss, the brain gets less activity which then results in mental decline.

Your hearing aid helps you hear better. Providing a natural defense for your brain against cognitive decline and helping to keep your brain active. That’s why treating hearing loss can delay dementia by as much as 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be surprising that there is a link between the two.