How Hearing Aids Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

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Here are some ways hearing aids can help your health and your cognitive function as you discuss your best options with your Doctor of Audiology.

There are a number of reasons that hearing aids can help— they can improve your quality of life, help you maintain your relationships, and even improve your mental health. But did you know that hearing aids can also help prevent some health concerns later in life? Most people who experience hearing loss wait as many as ten years before opting for treatment with hearing aids. By this time, you can experience irreversible problems with your physical and mental health, so it’s important to act early. Here are some ways hearing aids can help your health and your cognitive function as you discuss your best options with your Doctor of Audiology.

The link between hearing loss and dementia

One recent study, which followed almost 3,800 people for 25 years, found that elderly people who experienced hearing loss but did not use hearing aids were at a higher risk for dementia. It also found that using hearing aids eliminated this heightened risk. This can be attributed to the fact that hearing loss prevents you from participating in activities that can help slow cognitive decline. This is exciting news that confirms the link between your brain’s health and your hearing— and means you can take tangible steps in preventing the development of dementia early on.

What causes dementia?

We have a lot to learn about what exactly causes dementia— what we do know is that it’s a catch-all term for abnormal changes to the brain’s cells. This affects your ability to think, function, and have healthy behaviors, feelings, and relationships. There are many different types of dementia and they are most often progressive, meaning it worsens over time. We also know that there are many different factors that can contribute to the progression of dementia and that there are some ways to help prevent it.

How can hearing aids help?

The biggest benefit that comes with hearing aids is staying cognitively and mentally fit. Because hearing loss can negatively affect so many different aspects of your life, hearing aids can help improve many different aspects of your life. Hearing loss can affect your ability to participate in social interactions, your favorite activities, and relationships that are important to you. When these things suffer, it can negatively affect your mental health and cognitive function over the long term. It can also affect your physical health when it is difficult to lead an active lifestyle, leading to certain types of dementia. When your brain stays active, it can better maintain its function, which is integral to preventing cognitive decline.

How can Hearing Doctors of New Jersey help?

At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, we focus on custom, crafted hearing solutions. Our Doctors of Audiology follow our proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ in hearing aid selection, verification, and fitting so that you never miss another word – guaranteed.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are frustrated that you have to say “what” often or feel that your current hearing aids are not working properly, you should schedule an appointment with Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. To get started, we invite you to contact our Livingston office by calling or filling out our online form.

Click here now to receive your FREE insider’s guide to learn how to make an informed and intelligent decision when purchasing a hearing aid!

Sources

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2019/09000/hearing_loss_and_dementia__breakthrough_research.1.aspx