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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 ) 275-2444
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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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