Page 24 - Healthcare News July/August 2022

Listening with Our Brains
Hearing Loss Is a Key Concern as We Get Older ABy Lisa Alber
ge-related hearing loss is remarkably prevalent, yet often goes untreated. Hearing loss is more than just an inconvenience — it increases the
risk of other serious health conditions. Recent studies reveal a direct link between hearing loss and dementia. Why? Because we hear with our brain, not with our ears.
The ‘use it or lose it’ principle applies: when the hearing part of the brain is less active, neurological function decreases. Over time, this leads to tissue loss and brain shrinkage, which ultimately results in cognitive impairment.
For example, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that adults age 75 and older with untreated hearing loss experience a 30% to 40% decline in cognitive abilities compared to their peers with normal hearing. Their studies also showed that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss triples dementia risk, and those with a severe hearing loss are five times more likely to develop dementia. Additionally, other research into the topic
“The ‘use it or lose it’ principle applies: when the hearing part of the brain
is less active, neurological function decreases. Over time, this leads to tissue loss and brain shrinkage, which ultimately results in cognitive impairment.”
of hearing loss finds higher occurrences of depression, social isolation, and falls that cause injury in those with hearing impairments.
Impact of COVID-19
If you or someone you know is hard of hearing, you have surely experienced or witnessed the additional struggle of communicating since the onset of COVID- 19. From masks muffling sounds and covering lips
to increased digital communication with Zoom, FaceTime, and phone calls, challenges for those with hearing impairments have drastically increased. And yet, staying connected to family and friends is more important than ever before.
Amplification Technology Making Gains
As we begin to gather together again, the ability to fully participate in conversations becomes even more critical. The good news is that hearing-aid technology has advanced significantly — even in the past couple
of years. State-of-the-art hearing aids, like those sold at Alber Hearing Services, are helping patients hear more clearly, with less effort. Many common hearing difficulties — such as trouble hearing with background noise, hearing the TV, and hearing over the phone — can be vastly improved with new hearing aids. This technology connects to Bluetooth functions in your smart phone, enabling easier conversations. We can program your devices for you, so even those who are not technologically savvy are able to easily use this functionality.
Promising Results
As we learn more about the correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline, research is also
Hearing
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Lisa Alber, AuD
24 AUGUST 2022
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