Untreated Hearing
loss Linked to Increased Likelihood of Dementia
A study examining the link between dementia onset and
hearing loss showed a concerning connection. Published by the Archives of
Neurology, The U.S. National Institute on Aging study showed more than 35 percent of dementia risk in
patients older than 60 was linked to hearing loss.
The cognitive and hearing tests were given over a four-year
period and monitored more than 600 patients for signs of dementia. At the
conclusion of the study, 58 patients were diagnosed with dementia. The
researchers then cross-referenced their data and found risk for a degenerative
cognitive disorder increased with moderate to severe hearing loss. They
reported for every additional loss of 10 decibels of hearing capacity the risk
for Alzheimer’s jumped 20 percent.
The study suggests several theories for this correlation but
insists more research is needed to find the exact relationship. “Hearing loss might result from damage to nerve cells,"
Dr. Richard B. Lipton said. "That means damage to the hearing organ and
inner ear structure called the cochlea, and the hair cells that pick up the
pattern of vibration the sound produces in the ear. And if there's damage to
the neurons that mediate hearing, that may be a kind of marker for similar
damage to nerve cells involved in memory and higher cognition.”
Lipton also suggests social isolation accompanying hearing
loss could lead to less cognitive engagement – a vital interaction to protect
against dementia: “And that would mean that the loss of cognitive stimulation
could itself contribute to the risk for Alzheimer's," Lipton said.
Regardless, this new study shows dementia and Alzheimer’s
has less to do with chronological age and is encouraging researchers to focus
on biological age and the overall health and lifestyle of patients who show
early signs of cognitive decline. Your first step to battling Alzheimer’s
should be to schedule a hearing test.
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