Just a few weeks ago, we posted a hearing fact that noted how “untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia by 50%.”
This link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline has been a growing topic of discussion in the medical world for a while now — our own Dr. Archelle Georgiou even discussed it in a recent podcast.
We know pretty definitively that many potential “consequences” of untreated hearing loss — like social isolation and cognitive load — are factors that increase the risk of cognitive decline. So it makes sense that decreasing the likelihood of those consequences — by treating hearing loss — would go a long way towards lessening our odds for future cognition issues.
And studies back that up — at least for people with hearing loss. Using data taken over a span of eight years, one recent study found that for people diagnosed with hearing loss, those who received hearing aids within three years of their diagnosis had lower rates of dementia than those who didn’t get hearing aids.
Another, longer study showed that hearing aid use reduced the risk of cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.
Listen, there are a ton of good reasons to treat hearing loss, not the least of which is making it easier to get the most out of life. But this reason is certainly high up there, too.
Not sure where to start? We can help. Just click here and type in your zip code. You’ll see a list of local hearing professionals who can test your hearing and consult with you about your options.
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