Challenges with Hearing Speech in Noise – an Early Sign of Dementia?
The number of people living with dementia is projected to triple – from 50 million people worldwide to 150 million by 2050. Dementia encompasses several medical conditions that reduce cognitive functions (decision making, learning, memory, etc.) including the most common, Alzheimer’s. There are no cures for dementia so increasing research focuses on identifying factors that can be modified to prevent or reduce the risk of its development.
Studies show that there is a correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline. A new study reveals that difficulty hearing in environments with background noise can increase the risk of dementia by 91%.
Study: Speech-in-Noise Hearing Impairment & Dementia
One of the most common symptoms of hearing loss is difficulty hearing speech in environments with background noise, often referred to as speech-in-noise hearing loss. This has major effects including straining communication, social withdrawal and creating tension in relationships. Additionally, it can affect health by increasing the risk of developing other medical conditions including dementia.
A new study published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association explored the link between speech-in-noise hearing impairment and dementia. Led by researchers from the University of Oxford, the study included 82,039 people (age 60 and older) who were studied over 11 years. Participants were asked to identify numbers that were spoken in a setting with varying levels of white background noise. Based on these results, speech-in-noise hearing for all participants was identified as normal, insufficient, or poor. At the beginning of the study, participants did not have dementia. After 11 years of following up, 1,285 participants developed dementia. Researchers found that compared to those with normal speech-in-noise hearing:
People with insufficient speech-in-noise hearing were 61% more likely to develop dementia
People with poor speech-in-noise hearing were 91% more likely to develop dementia.
These findings highlight a significant correlation between hearing loss and dementia which extensive research supports.
Link Between Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline
Extensive research investigates the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Several major studies show that hearing loss increases the risk of developing conditions like dementia. This includes a 2019 study with 10,107 participants who were 62 years old and older without any cognitive impairments. After 8 years, researchers found that cognitive decline was 54% higher among people with severe hearing loss (compared to those without). This underscores the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline – two chronic conditions that impact older adults disproportionately.
Though the exact causes of this link remain unclear, researchers suggest that hearing loss can impact the brain in a few ways. There are portions of the brain that are responsible for speech comprehension. These areas which help process and understand sound, become less active as a result of hearing loss. This inactivity reduces cognitive functions and other areas of the brain can intervene and compensate, leading to cognitive overload. Another way the brain can be impacted is by social withdrawal which is a major effect of untreated hearing loss. Social withdrawal can result in less stimulation and depression, impacting the brain.
Treating Hearing Loss
Recognizing and treating hearing loss as soon as possible can transform your health. Early intervention can significantly support the transition into better hearing with greater ease. Luckily, there are effective ways to treat hearing loss! Treatment starts by having your hearing assessed by a hearing health professional in the FitHearing Audiology Network.
Hearing tests involve a painless and non-invasive process that measures hearing capacity in both ears. This diagnoses any impairment and the degree of hearing loss present. This informs the best treatment options that would effectively meet your hearing needs.
The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids – small, electronic devices that are designed to absorb and process sound. Hearing aids provide incredible hearing support which maximizes hearing capacity. This alleviates hearing loss symptoms, allowing people to hear and communicate much more easily. Not only does this strengthen communication, but it improves relationships, social life, and overall health. Hearing aids reduce the risk of developing medical conditions associated with untreated hearing loss including dementia.
Prioritize your health today by calling us to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!
