Research shows that for every 10 decibels of hearing loss, the risk of developing dementia increases. Learn how the right hearing aids can lower your risk.
Hearing Loss & Dementia
Researchers from John Hopkins recently completed an 18-year study showing participants who experienced hearing loss had an increased risk of developing dementia. A person’s risk of developing dementia increased with the severity of hearing loss. In another study, Gallacher et al concluded that for every 10 decibels of hearing loss, the risk of developing dementia increased.How does hearing loss impair the brain? When the ears stop hearing certain sounds and frequencies, the brain turns off the areas needed to process those sounds. The brain also begins to shrink. MRIs show that adults with untreated hearing loss lose about a cubic centimeter of brain tissue per year.
Hearing Aids May Lower the Risk of Dementia
Hearing aids receive sounds from your environment and only amplify the sounds your ears had stopped perceiving. This technology enables the brain to recognize and process those frequencies again. Therefore, the brain continues working in those areas! By keeping your brain engaged, brain shrinkage occurs more slowly and the risk for developing dementia may be lowered.Hearing aids also help people maintain physical, emotional, and cognitive health by giving them the chance to participate in conversations and social activities. Surveys conducted in Europe revealed hearing aid users are less tired at the end of the day and have more restful sleeps. Hearing aids users are also less depressed. In conclusion, hearing aids provide many benefits, from keeping you happy to keeping your brain healthy.
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