Taking care of your loss of hearing can be helpful for your brain. At least, that’s according to a new study by a group of researchers from the University of Manchester. These analysts considered a group of around 2000 participants over a time period of nearly 2 decades (1996 to 2014). The unexpected results? Dementia can be slowed by as much as 75% by dealing with loss of hearing.

That’s a significant number.

But still, it’s not really that surprising. The significance of the finding, of course, is still useful, this is an important statistical correlation between the struggle against cognitive decline and the treatment of hearing loss. But it coordinates well with what we currently know: as you get older, it’s crucial to treat your loss of hearing if you want to slow down dementia.

What Does This Research on Dementia Mean For me?

Scientific research can be confusing and contradictory (should I eat eggs, shouldn’t I eat eggs? How about wine? Will that help me live longer?). The reasons for that are lengthy, varied, and not very relevant to our discussion here. Because here’s the main point: yet further proof, this research reveals untreated loss of hearing can lead to or worsen mental decline including dementia.

So for you personally, what does this mean? It’s straightforward in several ways: you need to come see us right away if you’ve observed any hearing loss. And, if you need a hearing aid, you need to absolutely begin using that hearing aid as directed.

Hearing Aids Assist in Preventing Dementia When You Use Them Correctly

Sadly, not everybody falls directly into the habit of wearing a prescribed pair of hearing aids. The often cited reasons why include:

• The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it fits comfortably. If you are having this problem, please contact us. They can fit better and we’re here to help.
• You’re worried about how hearing aids look. You’d be amazed at the range of styles we have available nowadays. Plus, many hearing aid styles are designed to be very discreet.
• The hearing aid doesn’t feel like it works as advertised. Many people need to have their settings adjusted, and calibration problems are definitely something that can be addressed by our hearing specialists.
• Voices are difficult to understand. In many cases, it takes time for your brain to adapt to hearing voices again. We can suggest things to do to help make this process easier, like reading along with an audiobook.

Your future mental abilities and even your health as a whole are obviously affected by using hearing aids. We can help if you’re trying to cope with any of the above. Working with your hearing expert to make sure your hearing aids are working for you is just part of the process and it demands time and patience.

And taking into consideration these new findings, treating your hearing loss is more important than it ever was. Hearing aids are safeguarding your hearing health and your mental health so it’s essential to take that treatment seriously.

Hearing Aids And Dementia, What’s The Link?

So what’s the real link between dementia and loss of hearing? Social solitude is the leading theory but scientists are not completely certain. Many people, when faced with hearing loss, become less socially involved. Sensory stimulation is the foundation of another theory. Over time, if a person loses sensory stimulation, such as hearing loss, the brain receives less activity which then leads to mental decline.

Your hearing aid will help you hear better. And that can help keep your brain active, creating a more powerful natural safeguard against dementia and cognitive decline. That’s why taking care of hearing loss can slow dementia by as much as 75% percent and why it shouldn’t be unexpected that there is a link between the two.