How Hearing Aids Can Help Reduce Memory Loss
Hearing loss isn’t just an inconvenience. It can be harmful to your brain too.
Seniors with hearing loss are at a higher risk for developing dementia over time when compared to those with normal hearing.
It is common knowledge that the brain becomes smaller with age. However, according to a study on brain atrophy and hearing problems, this shrinkage accelerates in older adults with hearing loss.
These findings add to a growing list of health consequences associated with hearing loss, including increased risk of dementia, falls, hospitalizations, and poor physical and mental health.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 17.8% of people ages 45 to 64 experience hearing difficulties. This number jumps to 31.6% for ages 65 to 74 and 81.4% for individuals over 80.
“The general perception is that hearing loss is a relatively inconsequential part of aging, “says Frank Lin, M.D., an otologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, “but recent findings suggest that it may play a much more important role in brain health than we’ve previously thought. “
Information from the ongoing Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging compared brain changes for up to 10 years for individuals with normal hearing and impaired hearing of at least 25 decibels.
After analyzing MRIs over the years, Lin and his colleagues determined that the study participants whose hearing was already impaired at the start of the study had accelerated rates of brain atrophy compared to those with normal hearing. Those with impaired hearing lost more brain tissue each year compared to those with normal hearing.
Those with impaired hearing also had significantly more shrinkage in the regions of the brain that process sound and speech. The more hearing loss the individuals had, the higher their risk for developing dementia.
The brain structures responsible for sound and speech are affected in those with hearing loss because these regions could become atrophied from a lack of stimulation. Lin also explained that these structures don’t work in isolation, and their responsibilities do not end at sorting out sounds and language. The gyri of the brain also play roles in memory and sensory integration and have shown involvement in the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study also gives some urgency to treat hearing loss rather than ignoring it. While hearing loss does not cause dementia, if it is contributing to these differences, you want to treat it before any structural changes in the brain take place.
Early Warning Signs of Cognitive Decline Linked to Hearing Loss
Cognitive decline and hearing loss have shown a link, but what can you look for in yourself and loved ones to catch the problem early?
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Difficulty following conversations
- Social difficulties in noisy environments
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Withdrawing from social situations due to hearing challenges
- Trouble remembering recent conversations or events
- Increased fatigue from concentrating to hear
These are signs that hearing loss is contributing to cognitive issues, especially in older adults who may be facing memory challenges already.
Risk Factors That Increase Dementia Risk in People With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss and dementia may go hand in hand, especially for certain populations with existing health challenges.
Some of the main risk factors for developing dementia include:
- Untreated hearing loss
- Being over age 60
- Family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Social isolation
- Chronic health conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.)
If you or a loved one falls into these categories, check for hearing loss and dementia symptoms regularly and seek early intervention.
How Hearing Aids Can Help Protect Brain Health
When it comes to hearing aids and memory loss, these devices may actually serve as protection against cognitive decline.
Hearing aids, especially when used early in the process, keep the auditory processing areas of the brain active and healthy. They also improve interpersonal communication and reduce cognitive strain in social situations, which encourages neural growth between brain areas.
Social engagement is a strong protective factor against the loss of “mental sharpness.” This may be because social activity requires complex interactions between different brain areas, which helps preserve your overall cognitive processing abilities as you age.
When to See an Audiologist
Don’t underestimate the importance of hearing loss dementia prevention. If you’re worried about hearing loss and dementia, it’s time to schedule an audiology appointment.
Plan for annual hearing exams after age 50. Comprehensive audiology exams check for early signs of both cognitive decline and hearing loss, allowing for earlier intervention to treat symptoms.
If you’ve recently experienced noticeable changes in your hearing abilities, you should book an appointment. Our professional audiologists can help you get to the root of your hearing issues so you can overcome audiological barriers. Thorough exams are the key to social and cognitive well-being.
Have your family members or friends raised concerns about your hearing or memory? Now’s the time to get checked out and start exploring treatment options.
Book an Appointment at Happy Ears Hearing Center
At Happy Ears Hearing Center, we offer hearing exams and cognitive evaluations to provide comprehensive hearing loss dementia prevention. Book an appointment with us today!