Can hearing aids reduce your
Risk of Dementia?
A recent study suggests that wearing hearing aids could significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in individuals at higher risk. Explore the findings and what they mean for maintaining brain health as we age.
The Study
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University conducted a study involving over 3,000 participants, including healthy community volunteers and older adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. They were randomly assigned to receive either chronic disease prevention counseling (control group) or treatment from an audiologist and hearing aids (intervention group). The participants were assessed every six months for three years using comprehensive neurocognitive tests.
The Results
While the study did not find a significant reduction in cognitive decline for the entire group, there was a remarkable 48% decrease in cognitive decline among those individuals at higher risk for cognitive decline. This highlights the potential of hearing aids as a powerful intervention to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk individuals.
Why can hearing loss
increase the risk of dementia?
Researchers propose three mechanisms. First, as the inner ear deteriorates, it may send garbled signals to the brain, requiring more effort to understand sounds. Second, hearing loss may affect the brain’s structure, leading to atrophy or faster shrinkage of certain areas. Lastly, individuals with hearing loss may be less likely to engage in social activities, which are important for cognitive health.
Taking Action
If you suspect hearing loss, it is advisable to have your hearing checked by a professional. Even mild hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, which are simple, effective, and low-risk. As a leading hearing care provider, Beltone offers free hearing tests to assess your hearing health and provides advanced hearing aid technology tailored to various types of hearing loss, including over-the-counter options. We also work with most insurance plans that cover hearing aids, ensuring affordability and accessibility for individuals seeking hearing care.
In addition to addressing hearing loss, maintaining physical health plays a crucial role in preventing cognitive decline. Regular check-ups, physical activity, a healthy diet, quality sleep, and cognitive stimulation are all beneficial practices to prioritize.
Schedule your FREE hearing exam with full audiogram today!