According to the Alzheimer’s Society, research shows that hearing loss is related to an increased risk of developing dementia although it does not mean that dementia is inevitable – just that the risk is higher. Developing dementia involves many other contributing factors.
Age-related hearing loss is a common condition affecting older people. It often starts with problems hearing conversations, especially in noisy environments. The amount of hearing loss and length of time someone has hearing loss may also impact dementia risk. Symptoms can start gradually and be difficult to notice, so unfortunately, beneficial early treatment may be delayed.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are two types of hearing loss: peripheral hearing loss and central hearing loss. It’s good to know the difference and how both can be risk factors for cognitive decline.
- Peripheral hearing loss means reduced abilities of the ears to detect sounds, which can be a risk factor for dementia.
- Central hearing loss involves problems with processing sounds in the brain, which may not be corrected with hearing aids. This may be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, as the parts of the brain that process sound are affected by the disease.
Assessing Risk Factors
When assessing risk factors, researchers look at the number of people who develop dementia who have a certain risk factor, such as peripheral hearing loss, compared to those who don’t. Researchers analyzed many studies and showed that hearing loss is one of several main factors that leads to the highest risk of developing dementia.
Even low levels of hearing loss have been associated with increased dementia risk and a decrease in memory and thinking skills. Hearing loss may also mean that the areas of the brain that help us understand sounds and speech have to work harder to understand what sounds are. This additional effort or “cognitive load” may lead to functional changes in the brain that affect our memory and thinking abilities.
Increased Cognitive Load
If your brain is doing what your ears are not, it means there is less capacity for other brain functions, such as memory and concentration. Think of a computer that may be running too many programs and goes into overload. Some signs your brain may be doing your ear’s work include:
- Using TV captions and keeping the volume at a high level.
- Understanding people better when you can see their lips.
- Needing people to repeat themselves during conversations.
- Feeling mentally exhausted after conversations, especially long ones or during work meetings.
Important Steps to Take
All of this is understandably alarming. No one wants to lose hearing or cognitive function. What to do if you’re concerned? First, don’t delay getting professional help. Go for a comprehensive hearing exam. Follow through on the findings and work with an audiologist if you need to get a hearing aid fitted. A hearing aid may not be a guarantee against cognitive loss, but it can help you hear better, which will reduce the load on your brain.
Remember that hearing loss doesn’t necessarily mean getting dementia, but it’s an added risk that can be addressed with a thorough hearing exam and hearing devices if needed.
At Hearing & Tinnitus Management, our team provides expert hearing aid services for the people of Stony Brook and St. James.