Test can help predict person’s dementia risk

A simple test available at a Perth audiology company could be helpful in predicting if a person is likely to go on to develop dementia.

Monday last week, September 21, was World Alzheimer’s Day and some new research from the Lancet journal revealed that there is a hearing check-up that people should be getting to potentially reduce their risk of dementia.

Perth audiology centre Hidden Hearing is urging people to have a free hearing screening this September to mark the awareness day.

Hidden Hearing Perth-based specialist Daniel Merrett said: “We need to challenge the idea that developing dementia is inevitable for some.

“While some of the causes of dementia remain unknown, we now know that there are modifiable factors that will have a very real impact on your risk, and getting a hearing screening tops the list.

Hidden Hearing’s research builds on a recent special report in the Lancet, ‘Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care in 2020’, published earlier this month.

The Lancet’s report found that untreated hearing loss is the single biggest modifiable risk factor for reducing the risk of dementia.

It mentioned 12 modifiable risk factors in total to cut your risk of dementia by up to 40 per cent, including social isolation, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.

People over 45 are the least informed about the modifiable risks of developing dementia, despite this being the prime time to take positive action.

Three out of four people were found to be unaware of the link between hearing loss and dementia.

The free test is available in Perth at the Hidden Hearing outlet at 2 Mill Street or online at www.hiddenhearing. co.uk