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Getting A Hearing Test May Be Good For Your Memory

Issue 4.16

If you want to help your memory and cognitive performance, you may want to get a hearing test and treat hearing loss, says the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) in response to a growing body of research that shows a link between unaddressed hearing loss and cognitive function. BHI is encouraging people to visit www.BetterHearing.org to take a free, confidential online hearing check to determine if they need a more comprehensive hearing test by a hearing healthcare professional.

According to Brandeis University Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Arthur Wingfield, who has been studying cognitive aging and the relationship between memory and hearing acuity for many years, effortful listening due to unaddressed hearing loss is associated with increased stress and poorer performance on memory tests.

His research shows that even when people with unaddressed hearing loss perceive the words that are being spoken, their ability to remember the information suffers—likely because of the draw on their cognitive resources that might otherwise be used to store what has been heard in memory. This is especially true for the comprehension of quick, informationally complex speech that is part of everyday life.

“Even if you have just a mild hearing loss that is not being treated, cognitive load increases significantly,” Wingfield said. “You have to put in so much effort just to perceive and understand what is being said that you divert resources away from storing what you have heard into your memory.”

How hearing loss affects cognitive function

Our ears and auditory system bring sound to the brain. But we actually “hear” with our brain, not with our ears.  According to Wingfield, unaddressed hearing loss not only affects the listener’s ability to perceive the sound accurately, but it also affects higher-level cognitive function. Specifically, it interferes with the listener’s ability to accurately process the auditory information and make sense of it.

Wingfield and his co-investigators found that older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss performed poorer on cognitive tests of memory than those of the same age who had good hearing.  As people move through middle age and their later years, Wingfield suggested for them to get their hearing tested annually. If there is a hearing loss, it is best to take it seriously and treat it.

Hearing loss and dementia

A number of studies have come to light over the last few years showing a link between hearing loss and dementia.  Specifically, a pair of studies out of Johns Hopkins found that hearing loss is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults and that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.

Another Johns Hopkins study revealed a link between hearing loss and accelerated brain tissue loss. The researchers found that for older adults with hearing loss, brain tissue loss happens faster than it does for those with normal hearing. Some experts believe that interventions, like hearing aids, could potentially delay or prevent dementia.

Call Miracle-Ear today to schedule a free hearing evaluation and find out if there is a need for help for you or a loved one.  (435)275-4125.

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