The Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
Decline Leads to Decline
Recent research shows that aging members of the community who experience hearing loss may also begin to experience a decline in memory and cognitive abilities. That is why hearing loss cannot go untreated. In fact, studies suggest that hearing loss may have a similar effect on younger adults suffering with hearing loss. Though there has been no conclusive evidence as to why this is happening, research proves that there is a correlation between the decrease of mental skills and the loss of hearing, and there are several theories as to why.
The Theories
One theory to go along with this research suggests the possibility that the same mechanism in the brain that causes hearing impairment, may also be responsible for memory decline.
A second theory suggests that with a decline in hearing, a person’s brain must work harder to hear muffled sounds and make sense of them. This strain may re-route effort in the brain to focus harder on this one particular region, while ignoring other, equally important functions, including memory and the ability to discern language.
Lastly, the isolation caused by deafness or near-deafness may inhibit the brain because of reduced stimuli and, by extension, decreased social interaction.
The Good News
Many of us assume that hearing loss and dementia are just some of the results of aging. The good news is that the more effort we put into seriously maintaining our hearing health (by getting checked regularly and using hearing aids where required), we could be greatly reducing the changes of cognitive decline.
Cited Sources:
http://blog.aarp.org/2013/01/23/hearing-loss-may-speed-up-dementia/
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075051/
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But First... A Little About Me Originally from India, I joined Audiology First in July 2023 as a Supervisee Audiologist. I hold a four-year Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala, India. I have the experience of working as a clinical audiologist in an ENT clinic in Kerala for three years, before I migrated to Canada, as a permanent resident in 2019 with my family. After completing the supervised practice required by the Alberta College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (ACSLPA) under the supervision of Glenn Hole, I am now a registered member of ACSLPA. I joined the team as a permanent full-time clinician in November 2023. Working At Audiology First My experience at Audiology First has been so enriching and fulfilling as I pride in the fact that the clinic strives hard to provide its patients with the best possible and evidence-based intervention strategies. Be it obtaining a detailed case history or comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings and follow-up appointments or cerumen management (that’s wax removal!) we make sure that the patients leave feeling more confident, listened to and with more knowledge about their hearing loss or hearing aids. How I Think About Hearing Care I believe that effective communication is essential for a fulfilling life, and I strive to empower my patients by providing personalized care and support. In my area of practice, I focus on understanding each patient’s unique needs and lifestyle. Whether it’s fitting hearing aids, offering rehabilitation strategies, or providing education on hearing health, my goal is to ensure that every patient can engage fully with the world around them. I’m excited to work with you and help you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes!
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