Are you finding the need to turn the TV up louder for someone you love? Speaking more loudly? Repeating things the person missed hearing the first time? Hearing loss in older adults is not uncommon. But new scientific studies are pointing to a startling link between hearing loss and an elevated risk for dementia.
How Hearing and Cognitive Functioning Are Linked
There are a number of hypotheses researchers are investigating to explain the connection between hearing loss and dementia:
- An older brain shrinks more rapidly because of hearing loss.
- The brain’s thinking and memory systems are affected when it has to work harder to strain to hear and to fill in the gaps when communication is missed.
- Reduced social interaction leads to less intellectual stimulation and a less active and engaged brain.
It’s vitally important to determine the precise reason for this connection and to see if treating hearing loss can help. The total number of people who could be impacted is astonishing, with as many as 37.5 million Americans currently experiencing some degree of hearing loss.
We already know that older adults with hearing loss experience a decline in cognitive functioning at a rate of 30 – 40% faster compared to those without hearing loss. Not only that, but hearing loss increases the risk for other health problems, such as depression and falls.
The good news is that researchers at Johns Hopkins are attempting to determine if treating hearing loss might actually reduce brain aging and prevent dementia. A study of approximately 1,000 seniors with hearing loss is underway, and researchers hope to use their findings to better understand the impact on cognition.
If a person you love struggles with hearing loss, encourage them to get a checkup and to wear hearing aids if recommended by the doctor. Our caregivers can even provide transportation for that checkup if needed.
Additionally, our dementia care specialists are available to help individuals with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia to stay comfortable, safe, and involved with meaningful and enjoyable activities. We can also help more effectively manage the challenging behaviors connected with dementia, including aggression, agitation, wandering, sundowning, and more.
Contact us any time at 877.308.1212 to learn more about how we can help older adults live healthier lives at home. We offer a complimentary in-home consultation to answer all of your questions and to develop a personalized care plan to best meet your needs. We proudly serve families in Traverse City, Saginaw, Alpena, Cadillac and neighboring communities.