I’m sure I am one of many who has been closely following the work on the downstream effects of hearing loss, including the link with dementia. A recent article by Dr. Frank Lin in the Hearing Review, noted that the first seminal article on this topic was published in 1989 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In this recent article, Dr. Lin reminds us that the prevalence of dementia is predicted to double in every 20 years, with predictions that one in every 30 Americans (presumably the same in Australia) will have dementia by 2050. [ed: Dr Lin also published a more technical writeup in AMA Journal]
Dr. Lin hypothesizes that the combination of the increased cognitive load caused by hearing loss, coupled with the increased social isolation, are the possible reason why hearing loss increases the probability of dementia. To me, this suggests that prompt use of hearing aids is important in reducing this probability. Effective use of hearing aids reduces social isolation, and makes it easier to hear, reducing cognitive load. Why has this been pushed to the background? Early use of good quality hearing aid makes sense. Hearing aids are not hard to use, if you get on to it early and purchase wisely.
Blamey Saunders hears provide hearing aids you adjust yourself. Doesn’t that make sense? Do you bring in an expert to help you manage the volume on your TV? No you don’t, but you do recognize that you need a good quality sound system on your TV. The complications with hearing aid fitting are almost always with those who have had hearing loss for a long time, and taken no action. Get on to it early. Take control, and keep hearing, so you avoid the isolation.
If you aren’t sure how well you hear, you can send for our new hearing planning tool, which is free, to help you, via the Blamey Saunders hears website.