The Disturbing Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia

I have hearing loss; therefore, I am going to develop dementia… NO! Just because you have hearing loss does not mean you will develop dementia; however, there have been studies done that show a strong correlation.

What have they found?

In a study done by Frank Lin, M.D.., Ph.D., researchers found that even a mild degree of hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia. The more severe the hearing loss the greater the risk of dementia.

The average person will wait 10 years before reaching out for help about their hearing loss. The longer an individual waits, the more likely their risk of dementia increases.

There are no negative effects of wearing hearing aids; however, it is clear there are negative effects from not wearing them. (The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss, n.d.)

Aging may reduce the cognitive resources available for understanding speech, especially in background noise. The rate of cognitive decline in older adults was reduced by over 50% with the use of hearing aids.

Individuals that address their hearing loss with hearing aids are introducing sound signals and auditory stimulation back into their brains. The brain is now receiving those signals it was missing and retraining the nerve fibers that acknowledge what sounds are important. The more stimulation, the better the brain functions, lowering the risk for dementia. (Reynolds, 2023)

For more information click here.

What’s the connection?

• We use 3 fundamental processes needed to hear well and understand speech.
• Peripheral Auditory system
• Interface between the acoustic environment and the brain; detects and codes
• Central Auditory System
• Modifies and analyzes
• Cognitive Processes
• Enhances perception, understanding content, and storing information (Glick & Sharma, 2020)

The brain is constantly receiving information from various parts of the body. Our ears contribute a lot of important signals for the brain.They are responsible for sending auditory stimulation to the brain. An individual who has hearing loss thus loses some of that communication. In other words, ‘if we don’t use it, we lose it’. With the lack of stimulation, this increases the risk of dementia.

Individuals with hearing loss are more likely to avoid social situations and stay home. This is mainly due to the fact that the individual struggles to hear what is going around them and would rather avoid that feeling. With the lack of social interaction brain activity and stimulation is reduced which could impact the risk of dementia.

Why Wait?

Ask us about our Cognivue testing. With every audiometric testing evaluation we offer a quick 5 minute self-administered computerized screening called Cognivue. This test is a personalized way to receive an overall view of how your ears and brain are communicating with each other. It is NOT a stand-alone diagnostic tool; however, it is used as an adjunctive tool to ensure we are providing the best plan of care. The report provides brain health scores for 3 cognitive domains and 2 speech performance parameters

• Memory
• Visuospatial
• Executive function
• Reaction time
• Speed processing

For more information regarding Cognivue please click here.

If you are looking for more information or are curious about your hearing and brain health, click here to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists.

References

Dawes, P., Wolski, L., Himmelsbach, I., Regan, J., & Leroi, I. (2019). Interventions for hearing and vision impairment to improve outcomes for people with dementia: a scoping review. International psychogeriatrics, 31(2), 203–221. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610218000728

Glick, H. A., & Sharma, A. (2020). Cortical Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Function in Early-Stage, Mild-Moderate Hearing Loss: Evidence of Neurocognitive Benefit From Hearing Aid Use. Frontiers in neuroscience, 14, 93. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00093

Reynolds, S. (2023, August 8). Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk. National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk

The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss