Treating hearing loss can help with dementia and Alzheimer’s
Apair of studies out of Johns Hopkins found that hearing loss is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults and that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. A third Johns Hopkins study revealed a link between hearing loss and accelerated brain tissue loss. Researchers found that for older adults with hearing loss, brain tissue loss happens faster than it does for those with normal hearing.
Although the reason for the link between hearing loss and dementia is not conclusive, investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both, or that the strain of decoding sounds may leave people with hearing loss more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated—a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders.
“We hear with our brain, not our ears,” explained Dr. Jasen A. Ruiz of Advanced Audiology of NY. “When we have hearing loss, the connections in the brain that respond to sound become reorganized.
“Fortunately, hearing aids can provide the sound stimulation necessary for the brain to restore the normal organization of connections to its “sound center” so it can more readily react to the sounds that it had been missing and cognitively process them.”
Multiple studies have shown that hearing loss worsens the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s when they are already present, including impaired memory, the inability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, compromised personal safety, irritability, anger, fatigue, stress, depression, and diminished overall health.
It is difficult to determine whether an individual’s hearing loss is related to cognitive decline because they are often both present at the same time. However, there is a reported increased risk of dementia among people with a hearing loss greater than 25 decibels. It was also found that for study participants over the age of 60, 36% of their risk for dementia was associated with hearing loss.
The link between hearing loss and milder cognitive problems is becoming increasingly more accepted. P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., coauthor of The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, says, “Every doctor knows that hearing loss can result in cognitive problems, but they still don’t focus on it as a priority when they evaluate someone with suspected dementia—which is a big missed opportunity. The benefits of correcting hearing loss on cognition are twice as large as the benefits from any cognitive-enhancing drugs now on the market. It should be the first thing we focus on.”
Because catching and treating hearing loss early can slow or stop the progression of cognitive decline, Dr. Ruiz recommends that people have a baseline screening when they are in their forties and then get retested as part of their annual health regime. Most insurance plans cover annual comprehensive audiological evaluations.
Once hearing loss is detected, it should be taken seriously and treated with the proper devices. Hearing loss generally develops slowly, and our brains compensate and adjust to gradual changes. This can make it very difficult to recognize hearing loss in oneself.
The diagnosis and treatment for hearing loss in people with cognitive decline is the same as for individuals without it. An audiologist will evaluate your hearing and determine the type, nature and degree of your hearing loss. Your sensitivity, acuity and accuracy of speech understanding will be assessed as well as a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum.
Results of the hearing evaluation are plotted on a graph called an audiogram. The audiogram provides a visual view of your hearing test results across various pitches or frequencies, especially the ones necessary for understanding speech. The audiogram and results from your speech understanding tests are used to create a prescription by which hearing aids are programmed, if necessary.
Your hearing health is critical to your safety, quality of life, and can impact your mental acuity, so you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best care available. Advanced Audiology of NY has locations in Westchester and Rockland, where you can expect a level of professionalism, care, service and excellence unmatched anywhere else. Call today to schedule your hearing evaluation—(914) 395-3277 for Westchester or (845) 5017337 for Rockland.