Mar 27, 2024
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Lori Lovato MA, FAAA, Audiologist
How Hearing Loss Can Lead to Cognitive Decline
Despite how intrinsically linked our hearing is to many other functions of our bodies, people often don’t realize just how much hearing loss can affect the rest of our bodies.
Untreated hearing loss has been connected to issues with balance, social isolation, and cognitive decline, meaning the deterioration of functions to do with memory, knowledge, and understanding.
If you’re reading this and have noticed some hearing loss challenges lately, whether in your own ears or for that of a loved one, read on – it might just be the motivation you need to get your hearing professionally checked out.
How Hearing Loss Connects to Cognitive Decline
In December 2022, a team of researchers from JAMA Neurology published a study investigating the associations between hearing loss and cognitive decline over a range of durations (two to 25 years). The study included 137,484 participants from across the world.
The results were impressive – it’s one of the most in-depth studies carried out that studies cognitive decline and advanced hearing aid technology, including cochlear implants.
Two significant findings of the study were that the use of hearing aids was associated with a 19% reduction in long-term cognitive decline – and that patients who started the study with mild cognitive impairment had a 20% lower risk of that progressing to dementia.
Meaning, in simple terms, that hearing aids can significantly improve your cognitive function and help you prevent progression to dementia over time.
Hearing loss starts slow and progresses as time passes; quite often, we don’t realize how much our hearing loss is affecting our daily lives until it makes a significant appearance.
With the help of professional hearing care from a compassionate audiology team, you can understand your level of hearing and ensure your hearing health is well taken care of, every step of the way.
Some people wait up to seven years before addressing a hearing loss challenge, leading to more health conflicts over time. Take that first step toward better, stronger hearing today.
Concerned about Your Hearing?
If you or a loved one has been struggling with hearing loss challenges, we encourage you to visit us for an appointment. Untreated hearing loss can not only lead to cognitive decline but also other serious mental and physical conditions like balance disorders and dementia.
Feel free to request a callback from us – we’re happy to call you for a no-obligation chat about your questions and concerns or to give advice about your unique circumstances.
If you’d rather not wait, you can call our office at (204) 246-8677.
Lori Lovato MA, FAAA, Audiologist
Lori is a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities. She and her husband Anthony are proud to be raising their family here. She attended Washington State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences and her master’s degree in audiology. Lori began practicing audiology in the Tri-Cities in 1993. During this time, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including private practice and ear, nose, and throat physicians’ offices. She has spent her career focused on assisting those with hearing difficulties through the use of hearing aids, listening strategies, assistive devices, and counseling. She is experienced in working with both adult and pediatric patients. It is important to Lori to develop close relationships with each and every patient, as she helps them develop better communication strategies to live a fuller life.
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