Why You Should Schedule a Hearing Test for World Alzheimer’s Month

Did you know that September is World Alzheimer’s Month? A global campaign that started in 2012, World Alzheimer’s Month focuses on dementia awareness and advocacy. According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, 55 million people live with dementia globally. This is expected to exponentially increase, reaching 139 million by 2050.

Dementia encompasses a range of disorders that affect the brain. These conditions reduce cognitive functioning – memory, thinking, learning, emotion etc. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60%-70% of all cases of dementia. These conditions do not have a cure so extensive research focuses on prevention and reducing one’s risk. Significant studies show that hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline and developing conditions like Alzheimer’s. Research also highlights that treating hearing loss can help protect brain health and reduce your risk of dementia.

How Hearing Loss Impacts Brain Health 

Extensive research shows that hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline. A major study that investigated this link was published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School evaluated over 10,000 people, ages 62 and over. They assessed the hearing and cognitive capacities of these participants over an 8 year period. They found that compared to participants without hearing those, the cognitive decline among those with impaired hearing was:

• 30% higher among people with mild hearing loss
• 42% higher among people with moderate hearing loss
• 54% higher among people with severe hearing loss

These findings not only reveal a significant correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline but also that the degree of impairment further increases the risk. This supports substantial research that identifies hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline.

Common Symptoms of Hearing Loss 

Hearing loss typically occurs gradually so it can remain overlooked for quite some time. Being able to recognize symptoms is a useful way to identify any changes you may be experiencing to your hearing health. Common symptoms include the following:

• Tinnitus: a buzzing or ringing like noise in one or both ears.
• Sounds are slurred, muffled, or distorted.
• Struggling to hear, especially in environments with background noise.
• Increasing the volume on electronic devices like the TV or phone.
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves, speak louder, and/or slower.
• Being able to hear more clearly out of one ear compared to the other.
• Lip reading to help identify individual words.
• Missing parts of a conversation, struggling to keep up.
• Lip reading to follow what others are saying.

These symptoms can be mild to profound depending on the degree of hearing loss present. Hearing loss symptoms strain communication and make it challenging to engage in conversations. This often leads to social withdrawal which impacts relationships, as well as social life. Additionally, untreated hearing loss can take a toll on health by contributing to depressive symptoms as well as cognitive decline. Recognizing these signs and intervening as early as possible can significantly protect your overall health and wellness.

Prioritize Your Hearing Health This Month

A great way to participate in World Alzheimer’s Month is by scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. Conducted by a hearing healthcare specialist, hearing tests involve a painless and noninvasive process that measures hearing capacity in both ears. This identifies any hearing loss and the degree of impairment that could be present. Once your hearing needs are established, your hearing healthcare provider can tailor treatment to meet those needs.

Fortunately, there are hearing solutions that can transform hearing health. The most common way hearing loss is treated is with hearing aids. These are electronic devices that absorb, amplify, and process speech as well as sound.  This provides the ears and brain with ample support, alleviating symptoms and making it easier to hear. Hearing aids strengthen communication, improve relationships, as well as overall health. Studies show that hearing aids strengthen cognitive functions and neural networks, supporting brain health. This can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. We look forward to helping you prioritize your hearing health!