Cognitive decline from hearing loss could be avoided
People who choose to seek treatment for hearing loss will be happy to know that they have also reduced their risk of serious cognitive diseases, like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. According to recent research by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, people with hearing loss may face a 46 percent increase in the risk of dementia and other cognitive diseases. These findings appear to reinforce the results of another recent study of 2,000 adults in which individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss were found to be 34 percent more likely than those with normal hearing to see their cognitive function diminish early in life.
“As audiologists, we are concerned about the possibility that the hearing loss we are treating might be a leading indicator for other health concerns,” says Dr. Hope Rowe of Blue Wave Hearing Centers. “We know that individuals become increasingly isolated when hearing loss becomes a problem, and that’s another risk factor involved with dementia and other cognitive diseases. The interesting part about this discovery is that more people are getting their hearing checked sooner. Many of our patients find treating their hearing is much easier than they imagined. In fact, many insurance companies now offer coverage for hearing technology. And with consistent use, research finds these actions yield positive results in longterm cognitive outcomes.”
According to the Johns Hopkins study, those with a hearing loss greater than 25 decibels are most at risk. The potential for cognitive decline increases with greater levels of hearing loss. Blue Wave Hearing Centers encourages people as young as 45 to have a baseline hearing exam every year. What’s more, they offer hearing screenings, FREE to the community.
“As the science of hearing loss continues to expand, we see huge increase in the number of people who are excited about the possibility of hearing better,” says Dr. Hope Rowe of Blue Wave Hearing Centers. “So far the evidence seems to suggest that better hearing helps keep the brain sharp, and as more people seek better-hearing solutions, we end up with a mentally sharper, healthier population as a whole.”
About Blue Wave Hearing Centers – A full-service, independently owned audiology practice, proud to be bringing better hearing to the people of Northwest Arkansas for more than 18 years. Our AudigyCertified™ doctors, such as Hope Rowe, have helped thousands of patients with their hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders — and offer state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and expert fitting of hearing technology. Blue Wave Hearing Centers www.BlueWaveHearing.com
479.250.9618.