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How Treating Hearing Loss Can Help You Fight Dementia

Friday, October 19, 2018 - by Euro-American Connections & Homecare
How Treating Hearing Loss Can Help You Fight Dementia | Euro-American Connections & Homecare

The endless puzzle behind finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia continues. Yet there are many new studies being released about the importance of prevention, and how according to one such as that by the Lancet Commission, almost a third of dementia is preventable.

In fact, other studies have shown that patients with untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of developing dementia significantly, which gives us a lot of hope about how we can stay proactive when it comes to lowering the risk of developing it. Here are some of the key reasons why hearing loss is linked to a higher chance of developing dementia:

1)Loss of a social life

If you suffer from hearing loss, it becomes a tendency to shy away from social events or even meeting up with friends. If this seems to be the case for you or a loved one, make sure you keep your brain in good form by reading, solving puzzles, and of course staying active and forcing yourself to communicate with others can make a huge difference.

2) Loss of brain function

As we lose our hearing, the brain loses the need to connect with the ears’ sensory cells, which causes cerebral atrophy, a key feature of dementia. Because of this, the cells no longer operate as they once did, affecting not only hearing, but speech, and of course memory.

3) Overworked and overexerted

Another reason why a gradual loss of hearing can lead to dementia is because of the extra work your brain must do in order to perform simple tasks such as hearing, and later understanding or further communicating with someone. This is why many doctors suggest that apart from medications, patients with hearing loss on the verge of developing dementia should be treated as soon as possible.

Have you noticed a link between hearing loss and dementia in one of your clients, or are you curious of how your own hearing loss?

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