Is it practical to descend in a lost communication scenario?
The rules on this are well-established and clear. They are laid out in FAR §91.185(c)(2). In particular, you should fly at an altitude which is (emphasis mine):

At the highest of the following altitudes or flight levels for the route segment being flown:
(i) The altitude or flight level assigned in the last ATC clearance received;
(ii) The minimum altitude (converted, if appropriate, to minimum flight level as prescribed in §91.121(c)) for IFR operations; or
(iii) The altitude or flight level ATC has advised may be expected in a further clearance.

For each segment of your route, you evaluate the minimum, assigned, and expected altitudes, and fly the highest. In this case, you'd fly at 9,000 feet on the leg where the MEA is 9000, and then descend back to 8,000 when the MEA drops to that altitude or lower.
If you lose your radios and squawk 7600 (or stop squawking altogether), ATC will expect you to fly those altitudes. They will provide separation between you and all other IFR traffic at 9,000 feet on the first leg, and 8,000 on the second leg. The only exception to this is if you encounter VFR conditions, in which case you should maintain VFR, land, and call ATC so they stop holding the airspace open for you.
In this situation, you should not worry about inconveniencing ATC or other traffic. We have these rules specifically set up so that nobody trades paint if a radio fails. ATC will manage IFR traffic separation for you. &quot;Better in terms of traffic separation&quot; happens when everybody follows the same plan.