Hearing Loss Can Be Factor in Dementia

New study says hearing loss one of nine factors for dementia.

When it comes to dementia early detection helps!

At Sound Hearing Now, we want to help you manage hearing loss as one way to help lower your risk of dementia. A new report by the Lancet Commissions on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care identified nine age-related risk factors for developing dementia. They include:

• Before the age of 18: level of education
• Between the ages of 45-65: hypertension, obesity and hearing loss
• Over the age of 65: smoking, depression, inactivity, social isolation and diabetes

Dementia, a term used to describe severe memory loss and mental abilities, affects nearly 50 million people worldwide. It is estimated that the number of cases of individuals living with dementia will increase to 66 million by 2030 and 131 million by 2050, according to a report presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Dementia increases hospitalization risk and other health-related issues.

The Lancet Commissions report suggests as many as one third of all dementia cases may be delayed or prevented by eliminating some of the risk factors — specifically, active treatment of hypertension in middle and old age, as well as increasing childhood education, exercise and social engagement, reducing smoking, and managing hearing loss, depression, diabetes, and obesity.

How to manage hearing loss

Here are three easy ways to help manage your risk of hearing loss:

• Protect your hearing. Nearly 40 million Americans have a preventable type of hearing loss caused by noise. Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) risk can be reduced by turning down the volume on electronic devices and using hearing protection.
• Get evaluated. Schedule periodic hearing exams with Sound Hearing Now or another hearing healthcare professional. A yearly exam will help you identify changes to your hearing more easily.
• Treat your hearing loss. If your evaluation reveals hearing loss that requires hearing aid treatment, do not delay. The brain makes sense of the sound our ears collect and the longer you postpone treatment, the greater the potential effect on your brain.

If you or a loved one would like to be evaluated for hearing loss, give us a call or click here to make an appointment with Sound Hearing Now at one our convenient locations in the Upstate today!

We also offer a wide range of comfortable and affordable hearing aids to meet your individual needs. To learn more, visit our hearing loss services page.

Link to article on dementia risk factors and hearing loss.