A recent paper published by Dr. Arthur Wingfield, Professor of Neuroscience at Brandeis University, and Jonathan Peelle from Washington University in St. Louis, looked into the consequences of untreated age-related hearing loss on the brain.
The two researchers did several studies, including using MRIs to examine brain activity and structure in older people with hearing loss.
In another study, research participants took memory tests. The results? Participants with mild to moderate hearing loss performed poorer on the tests than peers with normal hearing.
The paper’s authors concluded that hearing loss leads to “cascading cognitive effects that impact perception, comprehension and memory.”
Their advice? As we get older, we should test our hearing regularly and treat any hearing loss seriously.
Be proactive and make annual hearing tests a part of your health routine. Click here to find a hearing professional near you who can help.
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