For older adults, severe hearing loss comes with an alarming consequence—a 500% increased risk of dementia. According to a Johns Hopkins study, researchers found seniors with severe hearing loss had a much higher risk of developing cognitive and memory issues in later life.
The silver lining? Unlike age or genetics, hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor. Research confirms that treating hearing loss with cochlear implants or hearing aids can preserve healthy cognitive function.
Why it matters
Hearing aids and cochlear implants slow cognitive decline and protect brain health as you age. A recent large clinical trial found that older adults who used hearing aids for three years had 48% less cognitive decline compared to non-users.
How it works
When you have hearing loss, your brain has to work harder to understand the words and sentences you're hearing. This extra cognitive work fatigues the brain now and wears it down over time. What's more, auditory pathways that aren't stimulated can start to atrophy and shrink.
In practice
For people with advanced hearing loss, cochlear implants may be the solution.
"A cochlear implant is a device to restore hearing in patients with advanced hearing loss by bypassing the damaged inner ear hair cells and providing direct stimulation to the hearing nerve." —Dr. Nicholas Deep, a Mayo Clinic ear surgeon.
Yes, but: Cochlear implants are typically used for severe or profound hearing loss. For mild to moderate cases, hearing aids are the first choice.
The takeaway
Addressing hearing loss with cochlear implants or hearing aids has significant benefits for quality of life by improving independence, reducing social isolation, and lowering the risk of falling and dementia.
Concerned about hearing loss?
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Don't let hearing loss rob you of your health and happiness.
