Several studies have concluded that “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 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 the odds for future cognitive 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 high up there, too.
Find out what noises you may be missing! Schedule an appointment today for a hearing consultation.
Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or Falls in Older Adults? Elham Mahmoudi PhD
Research into the health effects of hearing loss suggests hearing aids might reduce dementia risk Consumer Reports