Why do Hearing Loss and Dementia Go Hand-in-Hand?

The likelihood of developing hearing loss increases with age. 30-70 per cent of seniors above 65 years have some hearing problems, whereas 70-90 per cent of seniors above 85 years have hearing problems. Dementia, which is not a single illness, but a collection of cognitive deficits like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, communicating, and making a judgment, is another more common condition in seniors. Such symptoms are present in up to one-third of seniors above eighty-five years, and up to 90 per cent of those seniors can have a significant amount of deafness. Whenever you look at all these data, it seems sensible to question whether hearing loss and dementia are connected. Scientists have studied this issue for many years, yet there is still no conclusive answer. Nevertheless, there are some fascinating hypotheses regarding both cases and how they might be related.

Why Hearing Loss Might Cause Dementia?

According to studies, seniors with deafness are more likely to develop dementia than adults with good hearing abilities. Additionally, a higher level of dementia was linked to a more substantial degree of hearing impairment. The capacity to think, recall and reason may be impacted by hearing issues. According to the cognitively overloading theory, persons with hearing impairment should “put more effort” than those with normal hearing to comprehend the same content. The brain could become so exhausted from this stress that it becomes incapable of carrying out other tasks.

Additional scientists have put forth the cascade idea. This approach doesn’t just blame cognitive stress. An individual with hearing impairment has fewer social opportunities and dementia risks might arise due to social isolation, loneliness, and increased brain stress.

Can a Hearing Aid Lower the Risk of Dementia?

Scientists are looking at the notion that hearing impairment is a controllable risk factor for dementia since the loss of hearing and dementia appear to go together. In another sense, preventing and treating hearing problems may help to reduce the likelihood of dementia. Since dementia and deafness are complicated illnesses with several risk variables, it is challenging to examine how they interact. For instance, additional age-related concerns, including inflammation, hormone imbalances, and heart difficulties, may impact both conditions. The link between using an earpiece and a lower chance for dementia is an intriguing area that experts are still researching.

Using an earpiece device has several advantages, even if there is now no conclusive proof that doing so can lower the chances of dementia. Adults with hearing problems who wear hearing aids are much more pleasant, healthier, and more attentive to their environment and experience fewer depressive symptoms. There is little uncertainty that a hearing device may enhance the quality of life for persons with hearing issues. However, a study investigating the prospect that it might lessen the effects of dementia is still in progress.

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Conclusion

The world’s most significant well-being and social care issue, mainly in the twenty-first century, has been dubbed dementia. Participating in preventative methods by decreasing changeable risk aspects could be successful in postponing or avoiding the disease, lowering medical expenses, and lessening the heavy load on loved ones and caregivers of the patients. According to studies, hearing loss disability has the most significant density-related percentage for dementia relative to every other personally changeable risk aspect.

FAQs

Does hearing loss feel like clogged ears?

Hearing loss can sometimes cause prominent ears to feel “clogged.” A person with deafness might not otherwise recognise that their hearing is impaired and might experience stress or heaviness.

Can hearing loss be cured naturally?

Although fully restoring hearing loss is possible only in a few cases, eating a healthy diet and knowing which ingredients are excellent for hearing issues will help you keep your hearing.

Can hearing loss cause brain fog?

In people who do not take hearing loss treatment, brain fog is a form of cognitive dysfunction that can appear randomly. Uncertainty and low mental effort can have a significant adverse effect on the capacity to be productive.

Does tinnitus lead to dementia?

In the group of people aged 30-64, we discovered that already existing tinnitus was strongly linked to the development of dementia. Tinnitus was related to a 63 per cent increased chance of early-onset dementia.

Does hearing loss affect behaviour?

Frustration, denial, sadness, worry, loneliness, social withdrawal, and exhaustion are some psychological and emotional adverse reactions to hearing problems. Other than hearing, you will face many adverse effects due to hearing issues. Changes to overall self-esteem and social interactions are among the psychological and emotional repercussions of deafness.

Ways for Seniors to Live Happily & Functionally with Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss in Older adults – Types, treatment, symptoms and causes