IN Bethel Park Spring 2017 | Page 19

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

YOUR HEARING

SPONSORED CONTENT

UNTREATED HEARING LOSS You are losing more than just your hearing.

By Megan Myers, Au. D., CCC-A, Swift Audiology

Aging is inevitable, growing up is optional, and staying cognitively sharp is mandatory. At a certain age, people begin to become bombarded with mail and fliers for hearing exams and hearing devices. But why? Why is it so important for a person to keep his / her ears healthy? It is not so much keeping the ears and hearing healthy as it is keeping the brain functioning. Many people do not realize the true link between our hearing and cognitive function.

My patients are surprised when I go into detail about hearing with our brain and not our ears. They often crack a joke,“ So that’ s what’ s wrong with me?” or look at me so intently like they want to know more. Well, the truth is: our ability to hear comes from our ears; our ability to understand and process sounds comes from our brain.
Multiple studies have been and continue to be conducted showing a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline( i. e. dementia / Alzheimer’ s). Our ears are responsible for collecting the sound, and our nerve of hearing sends the sound to our brain. The brain is responsible for processing the sound and interpreting the message. If damage occurs to the nerve of hearing, the sound is not fully processed and the message is not interpreted as intended. With hearing loss, as it worsens and remains untreated, the brain is deprived of normal auditory messages and forgets how to understand speech properly— much like muscles atrophy when a person stops using them.
A study conducted at Johns Hopkins Institute found that people with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia and / or cognitive deficits than those who retain their hearing as they age. It also states that hearing loss can lead to isolation of people socially. Many researchers believe that auditory deprivation and social isolation with untreated hearing loss can put that individual more at risk for deterioration of the brain, leading to a lower cognitive function.
Sergei Kochkin of the Better Hearing Institute( BHI) in Washington, D. C., has stated,“ When hearing loss is left unaddressed, it can significantly compound

IT’ S YOUR BRAIN

Risk of dementia with UNTREATED hearing loss
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BUTLER 203 S. DUFFY ROAD the challenges that people with Alzheimer’ s and their caregivers already face, but in many cases the appropriate use of hearing aids can benefit people with Alzheimer’ s.” Untreated hearing loss can decrease the cognitive

THAT HEARS

processing in spoken language and sound. BHI also states that research has shown that the use of hearing aids has helped reduce the symptoms of depression, passivity, negativism, disorientation, anxiety, social isolation, feelings of helplessness, loss of independence and general cognitive decline in people with known cognitive deficits.

As a Doctor of Audiology, I find that a patient’ s loved ones typically become frustrated by hearing loss long before the actual patient acknowledges that he or she is experiencing any loss. As we age, hearing loss gradually not your ears.

2x 3x 5x
Normal hearing Mild hearing loss Moderate hearing loss Severe hearing loss
Source: Lin et al.( 2011). Compared with normal hearing, increased risk of dementia: 1.89 for mild hearing loss, 3.00 for moderate hearing loss, and 4.94 for severe hearing loss.
Long-term study shows untreated hearing loss can contribute to early onset dementia and cognitive decline.
ADDRESS HEARING LOSS NOW, call Swift Audiology to schedule a complimentary hearing evaluation with our Doctor of Audiology.( 412) 307-4381
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Dr. Megan Myers Doctor of Audiology – Bethel Park Office
declines, which allows many adults to ignore their hearing loss for years. If you or a loved one notice a decrease in memory or cognitive ability, have your hearing checked. Schedule an appointment today with Swift Audiology for a comprehensive hearing evaluation to check for hearing loss; the outcome may help more than just your hearing.
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