Alzheimer’s disease is a severe type of dementia that often develops as people age and is characterized by cognitive decline, memory problems, and disorientation. A person’s quality of life and mobility may be significantly impacted by dementia.
Unfortunately, a link between hearing loss and other health issues has been discovered recently. It’s not only your ears that might suffer from hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss significantly negatively affects cognitive function and strains the mind. Alzheimer’s disease risk has been related to untreated hearing loss. Hearing loss that is not corrected might make dementia symptoms worse.
Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss
Although the links between hearing loss and dementia may not seem obvious, they make sense if you realize how hearing loss affects the mind. Hearing loss significantly impairs mental function, putting it on par with dementia’s cognitive issues.
Damaging the inner ear’s sensory cells is the leading cause of permanent hearing loss. During our lifespan, our hair cells deteriorate. Damaged hair cells cannot regenerate, so they stop working when they die. Hearing loss begins when a significant portion of hair cells stop functioning. Speech and sound details become more challenging to identify.
When this occurs, our brain tries to take over for us. While the ear’s mechanics detect sound, the brain is responsible for deciphering its meaning. Solving that message gets more difficult the fewer incoming sound signals we receive. Under the strain of hearing loss, the brain focuses more on comprehending important stimuli, like speech, depleting resources from other cognitive processes. Hearing is given more focus than other critical cognitive tasks like balance and coordination, which increases the risk of accidents and falls. While working harder may somewhat make up for the hearing loss, it is usually merely difficult and tiring mental labor.
This cognitive strain is also believed to have a significant role in the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in those with untreated hearing loss. The effort and energy required to hear cause deficiencies in other brain parts and might increase the burden on those already at risk for dementia.
Hearing loss and social isolation
Untreated hearing loss contributes to other problems that may exacerbate Alzheimer’s. Lack of contact and connection shows social isolation, a health problem. Hearing loss may exacerbate social isolation and limited mobility, worsening dementia symptoms.
Being socially isolated due to hearing loss is challenging. Untreated hearing loss causes anxiety and tension, which makes it difficult and more challenging to interact socially. Even talking to relatives and close friends and engaging in social activities may be unpleasant when you have hearing loss. Isolation may result from a person’s withdrawal from social engagements and routine activities.
If isolation and hearing loss are also present, dementia symptoms may worsen. When isolation is a factor, a person already experiencing cognitive problems may become even more confused and agitated. Communication obstacles are further exacerbated by hearing loss.
Hearing treatment can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s
Even though most hearing loss is irreversible, it is treatable with hearing aids. It has been shown that treating hearing loss reduces cognitive stress. Treatment for hearing loss also enables us to maintain relationships with the people and things important to us.
It has been shown that treating hearing loss is a beautiful source of cognitive alleviation. In a recent French study, over 80% of patients had improved cognitive performance one year after receiving hearing loss therapy.
Now is the time to take care of your hearing health if you or a loved one is experiencing hearing problems. It’s time to arrange a hearing test if you or a loved one is having hearing problems. We can support you as you connect with family and friends this holiday season. To start on the road to lifetime hearing health, contact us right now.
