The Ears Have It
By Editorial Staff
Let's start with the first conclusion of new research: Hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia. That's a huge reason to do everything possible to preserve your hearing, including not listening to music at excessive levels, etc.
But what about all the reasons beyond your control that may lead to hearing loss? That's where the study's second conclusion steps up.
Researchers also found that wearing hearing aids prevented or delayed the onset of dementia. Among more than half a million people included in the study (age 50 and older, without dementia and with or without hearing loss), having a hearing deficit and not wearing hearing aids increased the risk of dementia significantly compared to having a hearing loss, but using hearing aids to compensate for the deficit.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately one in three seniors (over the age of 65) suffers from some degree of hearing loss. Potential causes beyond genetics and age (that you have any control over) include repeated exposure to loud noise / sounds, nutritional deficiencies (yes, your diet affects just about everything; even your hearing), and "ototoxic medicines" (which includes commonly used NSAIDs).
The takeaway: If you're experiencing hearing loss, get hearing aids! If you're not, make sure you're doing everything you can to reduce your risk of hearing loss, now and in the future. With hearing loss associated with dementia, your ears – and brain – will thank you for it.
