Issue 51.11
A recent study by John Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging linked hearing loss and Dementia. The study showed that seniors with untreated hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop Dementia than their counterparts.
Investigators suggest that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brain, leaving people more vulnerable. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to Dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for Dementia and other cognitive disorders.
Scientists’ findings may offer a starting point for intervention. Finding that a solution as simple as hearing aids could delay or prevent Dementia by improving patients’ hearing.
The Doctors of Audiology at Dixie Hearing & Balance Center are strong advocates for early intervention. Drs Luekenga and Whittaker both concur that hearing aids do much more than just increase sound levels, but rather increase the brain’s cognitive ability to continue understanding and decoding. They explain that untreated hearing loss does more than just isolate people in a crowd. When the brain stops hearing speech clearly for long periods of time, it loses the ability to understand and decipher. Much like a mountain trail, if untraveled for long periods of time, the trail can be compromised.
According to George A. Gates, M.D. in an article published by Hearing Health, researchers have wondered whether people with early Alzheimer’s disease might benefit from early auditory intervention strategies. He states, “We simply do not know enough about this complex area to understand cause-and-effect, however, it is clear that central auditory testing should be a part of the routine hearing evaluation of seniors complaining of difficulty hearing in noise.” These central auditory tests are standard at Dixie Hearing & Balance Center.
“As a young doctoral student at the University of Louisville, School of Medicine, I was very interested in the effects hearing loss had on cognitive development and the degeneration process of the brain, because my own grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease in his late sixties. Nearly every study I reviewed found a positive correlation between delaying early stages of Dementia and proper auditory stimulation to the brain. Hearing Aids have proven to be a valid treatment option for increasing higher levels of cognitive activity”, said Dr. Richard Luekenga, Director of Audiology at Dixie Hearing & Balance Center.
Having your hearing checked and taking care of your hearing health is crucial and something that should not be delayed. The doctors of audiology at Dixie Hearing and Balance Center are experts in the field of Hearing Health Care and are available to answer your questions. You can schedule an appointment by calling (435) 688.8991. As of January 1, 2012, we will be in a NEW LOCATION at 1054 East Riverside Drive #201 in St. George.