Have you thought that hearing aids are unnecessary? You may be surprised to learn that hearing aids can stop the progression of dementia. Hearing aids may not be able to reverse hearing loss, but they can prevent its progression. This makes prevention of hearing loss crucial: and annual hearing screenings along with hearing aids are the best way to do that.
Because we now know that using hearing aids can freeze the advancement of mental decline from hearing loss, it just makes sense to consider hearing aids as your first defense against dementia, Alzheimer’s and other degeneration.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society evaluated brain degeneration in hearing loss sufferers who did not use hearing aids compared with degeneration hearing loss sufferers who use hearing aids over a period of 25 years. They also included a control group of adults without hearing damage.
The findings were astonishing: they found no difference in brain degeneration between people who had hearing loss and used hearing aids, and those without hearing loss at all!
In stark contrast, the people with hearing damage whose hearing loss went untreated and who didn’t use hearing devices displayed much lower totals on the Minmi-Mental State Examination (a cognitive function assessment). These results were unbiased by any other influences, including gender, age or education.
Improved communication is reported by hearing loss sufferers who use hearing aids., and this can then result in better mood, improved social ability, and increased levels of cognition.
Modern hearing aids help the brain to remain engaged and active, which in turn helps prevent cognitive deterioration. Because most of the work of hearing is done by the brain, doctors and researchers have adopted a “brain-first” focus that will help people remain healthy and happy well into the golden years.
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The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to audiology, feel free to contact Los Gatos Audiology, with a convenient hearing center located in Los Gatos, CA, by clicking here or by calling 408.703.0772.