Untreated hearing loss has long been connected to various mental and physical conditions, and one of the most concerning is cognitive decline, the slow deterioration of functions to do with memory, reasoning, and understanding.
Recent studies have shown that hearing intervention can help prevent conditions like dementia, as cognitive decline is strongly connected to your auditory and vestibular functions, both which run within the delicate workings of your inner ear.
A study that recently caught my eye examined how hearing aid use over three years affected cognitive outcomes in older adults. This study was taken on by Julia Z. Sarant, Peter A. Busby, Adrian J. Schembri, Christopher Fowler, and David C. Harris from the University of Melbourne.
The results were no surprise to us in the audiology field, but they’re important nonetheless – significantly better cognitive performance was shown in hearing aid users even up to three years post-fitting. Hearing intervention can make a world of difference, not just to your hearing health but also to your overall health.
The study involved 262 participants between 73-75 years of age; 160 were audiology clinic patients, and 102 were members from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Aging (AIBL).
Over three years, comparative analysis showed that the group of audiology patients showed stability in their cognitive abilities, while the AIBL group declined in working memory, motor functions, and physical attention.
The one difference? Hearing aids. The audiology patients were all fitted with advanced hearing aid technology, while the AIBL group were not.
This study, and several others that we’ve seen recently, are great for spreading awareness of the importance of hearing care. While we all get our teeth cleaned, our eyes tested, and our physical health checked at least once a year, hearing care can fall by the wayside.
If you’re reading this, take it as your sign to start your hearing health journey. Even one hearing assessment is better than none!
Hearing Support in Los Angeles and Ventura, CA
If you or a loved one has been struggling with hearing loss challenges, don’t delay – untreated hearing loss can lead to more dangerous negative outcomes like cognitive decline, including balance disorders, dementia, and more.
Our team of professionally trained audiologists is here to help you with your unique circumstances. No two ears are the same; we make sure that your care fits your best needs.
For questions or concerns, or if you’d like some advice before stepping forward on your hearing healthcare journey, please feel free to request a callback and a member of our team will get in touch with you for a no-obligation chat about your needs.
Don’t want to wait? Locate your closest clinic and call us at
Thousand Oaks: (805) 379-0824;
Simi Valley: (805) 583-8698;
Oxnard: (805) 983-4214;
or Camarillo: (805) 484-5951.
