Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

Brain atrophy is the process that happens as we get older and our brain cells start to fail. This is also known as cognitive decline, and although it might be unpleasant to think about, it’s often a natural part of aging. It will happen to different people at different rates, but as the connections between our brain cells start to wear out, they will stop working and those unused cells will die. When that happens, cognitive decline and brain atrophy.

What has this got to do with hearing loss? The answer is a lot. Studies have proven a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, with those who experience hearing loss having up to five times more chance of developing cognitive decline in their later years. What are the reasons for this? 

Does hearing loss affect cognitive decline or vice versa? 

The brain is a complex organ, and the studies that have definitively linked cognitive decline and hearing loss are ongoing. Although the link has been established, the reasons and exactly how the two things are connected are still under investigation. With this in mind, scientists are not yet sure whether hearing loss affects cognitive decline or vice versa. 

However, what has been shown is that diagnosing hearing loss and seeing a hearing instrument specialist for hearing aids can prevent cognitive decline from occurring. For some who are already experiencing the symptoms of cognitive decline, it may even reverse it, although this will depend on the severity of the condition. 

How hearing loss changes the brain 

One of the reasons the studies have suggested that hearing loss causes cognitive decline and not the other way around is that those who have hearing loss have changes within their brains. The brains of those who have hearing loss are smaller than those who do not, and this shrinkage takes place in the auditory response section of the brain. 

This means that the neurons in the brain responsible for creating and understanding complex sentences are less active in people with hearing loss. And it’s not just this area either; other brain functions that decline more quickly due to shrinkage in those who have hearing loss include memory, decision-making, speech and self-control.  

What are the best hearing aids for cognitive decline? 

If we are to assume that the ongoing research that links hearing loss to cognitive decline is accurate, then we also need to consider that wearing hearing aids really can prevent, slow, halt or even reverse cognitive decline in many patients. 

As well as this, which is clearly an important discovery and one that could change how cognitive decline is treated in the future, and how important diagnosing hearing loss at an early stage really is, hearing aids can be useful to those who already have cognitive decline such as dementia. Hearing loss can make the symptoms of dementia much worse since the patient will feel more confused and disoriented than they would otherwise do. It can even make the person living with dementia less safe since they may not be able to hear warning sounds such as a smoke detector or traffic. 

This is why it is vital to ascertain just what the right hearing aid is for those with cognitive decline. This may not seem overly critical; isn’t a hearing aid going to be the same for everyone? The answer is no, and it is essential.

There are many different types and styles of hearing aid available, and although smaller devices that wearers can control by an app might be popular, they wouldn’t always be that useful for those with cognitive decline who would need something larger and easier to control. 

This is why discussing the options with a hearing instrument specialist has to be the best course of action. Every patient is unique with their own set of circumstances that a trained hearing instrument specialist will understand and be able to use to determine the right device to be used. 

Contact Hearing Well Matters for more guidance 

Hearing Well Matters offers excellent advice and guidance on all forms of hearing aids and hearing devices. Visiting a hearing instrument specialist for assistance is the right step to take if you are unsure about what hearing aids will suit not just your hearing loss but also your lifestyle. 

When it comes to hearing aids for those with cognitive decline, we have much experience and we can discuss the perfect solution for you. Contact us today at (647) 247-2704 for more information.