This October, several leading health organizations are raising awareness on the importance of good hearing health and the health effects of hearing loss. As part of its National Audiology Awareness Month, the American Academy of Audiology urges the public to understand the importance of getting their hearing checked and treating hearing loss before it causes health issues, including an increased risk for dementia.
Hearing Loss is Linked to Dementia and Other Adverse Health Effects
Hearing loss is often seen as an inevitable part of growing old. It’s true that about one-third of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have experienced hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.
While hearing loss may be expected as we age, it must be treated seriously. When left untreated, hearing loss is associated with:
- Dementia and cognitive decline. In one prominent study published by the Lancet, hearing impairment is cited as a risk factor for dementia because untreated hearing loss can lead to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain and a decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and concentration. Audiometry assessments used in the study found that midlife hearing impairment is associated with steeper temporal lobe volume loss.
- Falls and other safety concerns. Going from normal hearing to untreated mild hearing loss is associated with a three-fold increase in fall risk because of the impact of hearing on balance, spatial awareness and stability. In addition, compromised hearing may affect personal safety if warning sounds like alarms and sirens are harder to hear.
- Isolation and depression. The American Academy of Audiology says that hearing is an important aspect of our health because it connects us to people and keeps us engaged. Seniors with hearing loss may become increasingly withdrawn and unable to converse or interact with others. We know that increased isolation among seniors decreases life expectancy and causes a myriad of physical and emotional problems, including depression.
Tips to Protect Hearing
October is also the National Institutes of Health’s National Protect Your Hearing Month. To curtail further hearing loss, older Americans can learn simple strategies for protecting their ears.
- Get checked. As part of preventative health care, make an appointment with an audiologist to get a baseline assessment of hearing health. The sooner a hearing evaluation is conducted, the easier the treatment and the better the results, according to the American Academy of Audiology.
- Move away from loud noises. Maintaining healthy hearing requires being aware of exposure to loud sounds for prolonged periods. Even two minutes’ worth of everyday sounds, like emergency sirens, can damage your hearing.
- Use hearing protectors. When you can’t avoid high volumes and loud sounds, hearing protectors can help. The most accessible types of hearing protection devices are earplugs that fit directly into the ear canal and protective earmuffs that completely cover both ears.
- Explore hearing aids. According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, more than 28 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids. In addition to delaying the onset and progression of dementia, consistent hearing aid use is associated with improved social interactions, independence, and lower incidences of hearing strain and tinnitus.
Kadan Homecare’s highly qualified and trained caregivers routinely monitor clients’ wellbeing and can assist them with getting to the doctor when they need a checkup, including having their hearing checked. Our caregivers can also make sure that a senior is using his or her medical devices, including hearing aids, consistently. For more information or to talk with our team about a complimentary in-home evaluation, call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.
