Hearing loss doesn’t just mean an older adult needs to turn up the TV. It’s been linked to a range of health problems including dementia.
The latest research not only shows the two are connected, but it’s also leading scientists to believe that hearing loss may actually be a cause of dementia.
Dr. Lin, of JHU, explains the connection between the two conditions and where the science is headed.
Hearing loss and the brain –
If you have hearing loss, you have a greater chance of developing dementia, according to a Lancet commission report that lists hearing loss as one of the top risk factors for dementia.
What happens when someone has hearing loss is that the sound isn’t accurately encoded and the ear sends a garbled signal to the brain. Because the brain has to then work harder to process the signal, experts think that means there are fewer brain resources for other functions, such as making a memory.
Current expert thinking suggests multiple ways untreated hearing loss can contribute to dementia. One of the more straightforward ways is through social isolation, as those who find it challenging to follow conversations and participate in group activities begin to keep to themselves. Not only are such people at risk for depression, but the reduced stimulation may lead to brain atrophy – the “use it or lose it” theory of brain health.
Content provided by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
