Hearing health and brain health, what is the link?
Posted on 11th June 2024 at 11:28
Understanding Dementia: A Growing Global Concern
Dementia currently affects over 55 million individuals worldwide, with this number increasing annually. It is projected that at least 250 million people will be impacted globally. The societal cost exceeds 1.3 trillion dollars and continues to escalate each year.
Previously dismissed and misunderstood as merely ‘forgetfulness in the elderly,’ dementia is not an unavoidable consequence of aging.
Dementia encompasses a variety of progressive degenerative brain disorders that impair memory, cognitive abilities, behavior, and emotions. Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, accounting for up to 60% of all cases.
Common symptoms include:
Memory loss
Difficulty finding the right words or understanding conversations
Trouble performing familiar tasks
Changes in personality and mood
Distinguishing dementia from hearing loss can be challenging, as communication difficulties are characteristic of both conditions.
Each person experiences dementia uniquely, but eventually, those affected will require assistance with all aspects of daily living as they lose the ability to care for themselves.
The Importance of Treating Hearing Loss for Brain Health
Is treating hearing loss crucial for brain health?
Increasingly, hearing loss is being recognized as a significant risk factor for brain health, particularly in later life. The Lancet Commission has identified it as the single most significant modifiable risk factor for dementia. Estimates suggest that hearing loss accounts for 8% of the modifiable risk for developing dementia within the population.
However, the research is still evolving, primarily based on population studies, and not always conclusive. Long-term follow-ups are required, and these studies do not address individual risk directly. Additionally, the exact mechanisms linking hearing loss to cognitive decline are not yet fully understood.
Currently, there is not enough evidence to definitively recommend hearing aids solely to reduce the risk of dementia. Nevertheless, there are compelling reasons to use hearing aids in the case of hearing loss. These reasons include improving speech comprehension, facilitating communication, and encouraging participation in daily activities, which collectively enhance an individual's well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2021 World Report on Hearing, strongly advocates for hearing screenings followed by the provision of hearing aids for older adults to ensure timely identification and management of hearing loss.
Dementia remains frequently misunderstood by both the public and the medical community. Raising awareness about the importance of brain health, including hearing health, is essential for promoting and maintaining healthy living and successful aging.
For more information on how hearing aids can improve your quality of life and support your brain health, visit Hearing Specialists.
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By prioritizing your hearing health, you can take significant steps towards maintaining your cognitive health and overall well-being.
References:
Alzheimer’s Disease International (2022, Sep 09). About Alzheimer’s & Dementia. https://www.alzint.org/about/
Shenk, D. (2003). The Forgetting. Alzheimer’s: Portrait of an Epidemic. Random House Inc., New York.
Wittich, W., Pichora-Fuller, M. K., Mick, P., & Phillips, N. (2022). Sensory health to support function and wellbeing in people living with dementia. Expert essay In: S. Gauthier, C. Webster, S. Servaes, J. A. Morais, & P. Rosa-Neto (Eds.):
World Alzheimer Report 2022: Life after diagnosis: Navigating treatment, care and support. London, England: Alzheimer’s Disease International.
Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., … Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396:413-46. doi:10.1016/S0140- 6736(20)30367-6
World Health Organization (2019). Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines. Geneva:
WHO. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550543
Sanders, M. E., Kant, E., Smit, A. L., & Stegeman, I. (2021). The effect of hearing aids on cognitive function: A systematic review. PLoS One, 16(12), e0261207. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261207
World Health Organization (2021). World report on hearing. Geneva: WHO. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing
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