Studies show that your brain health is affected by the health of your hearing. Addressing any hearing loss has multiple benefits; it not only helps recognizing sounds easier and hearing in general, but it can also support your brain’s long-term health.
With a decline in hearing, the brain works overtime to compensate, and that chronic extra work can affect memory, attention, and thinking. Compare it to a computer running too many programs at once and becoming overloaded. Or your phone running too many apps at the same time. Your brain can become overloaded too.
Social Withdrawal
Another downside of your brain working too hard to compensate for hearing loss is that you may withdraw socially if you can’t hear conversations well. Withdrawing socially can have a downward impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Hearing loss can make you feel frustrated, embarrassed, and even ashamed when participating in social events. Do you need to ask people to keep repeating themselves such as “Huh, what did you say? Say that again?” You may feel like a nuisance, or a burden and hearing loss can make you feel self-conscious.
Connection Between Hearing and Brain Health
Reduced social interactions can result in depression and cognitive decline. Studies support the connection between hearing and brain health.
- Hearing loss is one of the top potentially treatable risk factors for dementia.
- Observational studies over the years link untreated hearing loss with faster cognitive decline and greater dementia risk.
- In a study of older adults at higher risk for cognitive decline, those who used hearing aids had slower cognitive decline over three years compared with a control group.
- Brain imaging research suggests untreated hearing loss can be associated with changes in the structure of the brain over time. Early, consistent hearing support and treatments may help maintain healthier patterns of brain activity.
Though it’s not absolutely proven that hearing aids can prevent dementia or some type of cognitive loss, the studies do show that treating hearing loss can help reduce strained listening and that can help protect the brain.
Important Steps to Take
There is much you can do to help your hearing. It’s never too early to act if you suspect you have hearing loss. Don’t hesitate to visit a professional for a thorough examination. You can be tested to determine if you could be helped by a hearing aid. You can also protect your hearing, especially around loud noises with ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones.
At Hearing Health, our team provides expert hearing aid services for the people of Lake Elsinore and Pasadena.