The Link Between Hearing Loss & Dementia
What is dementia?
Dementia itself is not a disease. The word dementia refers to a group of symptoms, including decreased thinking, reasoning, memory, and social skills. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, or can progressively worsen over time.
Individuals with milder forms of dementia might experience symptoms like trouble concentrating, more difficulty remembering things than usual, and poorer problem-solving or reasoning skills. Those with more serious dementia may experience confusion, changes in personality, difficulty controlling their emotions, and significant memory problems. Mayo Clinic reports that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.
Does hearing loss cause dementia?
Many studies have been completed with the goal of answering this question. So far, research has not indicated that hearing loss directly causes dementia. There simply isn’t enough evidence to make that claim. However, studies have shown that hearing loss and dementia are connected.
How are hearing loss and dementia related?
This is a question that scientists are still trying to answer today. However, many studies have shown that there is a link between dementia and hearing loss. Most indicate that individuals with hearing loss had a higher risk for dementia. Here are some sources that support this statement:
This 2018 study found that individuals with hearing loss were at an increased risk for dementia.
This 2017 study also found that those with hearing loss had a higher risk for dementia.
This 2018 study stated that people with age related hearing loss was associated with increased risk of dementia or cognitive impairment. However, it also stated that there was no association found between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Can hearing aids prevent dementia?
This is another difficult question. Unfortunately, we don’t know. It would be unethical and false to say that buying hearing aids will prevent someone from suffering from dementia. However, it is important to treat hearing loss for several reasons:
Untreated hearing loss can look a lot like dementia. Someone with hearing loss might ask for others to repeat things they’ve already said. They may appear to be forgetful simply because they missed out on hearing important information. Hearing loss can lead to confusion and fatigue, leading to difficulty concentrating.
When we can’t hear, our brain has a harder time processing auditory input. Hearing loss can lead to something called ‘auditory deprivation.’ Auditory deprivation happens when the brain slowly loses some of the ability to process sound as efficiently. It’s caused by long-term untreated hearing loss. Auditory deprivation means that the brain has to work harder to compensate. As a result, you need to use more brainpower to understand speech, so your brain has less energy focus on other things, like problem-solving or reasoning. For a more thorough explanation of what’s going on in the brain due to auditory deprivation, read this article.
What should I do if I think that I or someone I know has hearing loss or dementia?
If you’re worried that you may have dementia or hearing loss, consider seeking help from your doctor. You may be asked to complete some cognitive tests to check your memory, attention, and reasoning skills. It’s also likely that your doctor will refer you to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.