Blue Wave Hearing encourages prevention to offset potential cognitive decline from hearing loss

People who choose to seek treatment for hearing loss will be happy to know that they have also reduced their risk of serious cognitive disease. According to recent research by Johns Hopkins, people with hearing loss face a 36 percent increase in the risk of dementia. These findings appear to reinforce the results of another study of 2,000 adults, in which individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss were found to be 24 percent more likely to see their cognitive function diminish early.

“As audiologists, we are concerned that hearing loss might be a leading indicator for other health concerns,” says Dr. Hope Rowe of Blue Wave Hearing Centers. “We know that some individuals become increasingly isolated when hearing loss becomes a problem, and that’s another risk factor involved with dementia. The upside about this discovery, is that more people are making hearing a priority by getting regular exams. Many are discovering that solutions for hearing loss are not only effective in the short term, but also provide substantially better outcomes for the future.”

According to the Johns Hopkins study, the potential for cognitive decline increases with greater levels of hearing loss. Blue Wave Hearing Centers encourages people as young as 45 to have hearing exams every year. To support this mission, Blue Wave offices will perform free hearing screenings to the community through the end of this month.

“As the science of hearing loss continues to expand, we are seeing an increase in the number of people who are ready to embrace innovative hearing solutions,” says Dr. Beth Muller of Blue Wave Hearing Centers. “So far, the evidence seems to suggest that increased hearing sensitivity helps keep the brain sharp, and as more people seek amplification through hearing devices, we end up with a mentally sharper, healthier population as a whole.”

Blue Wave Hearing Centers are proud to promote better hearing and have been serving Northwest Arkansas for more than 19 years. Call us at (479) 202-9618 or visit us at www.BlueWaveHearing.com to schedule your free hearing screening.