In addition to helping you hear better, hearing aids allow your brain to stay active, which may help to protect against cognitive decline. Below is a breakdown of how these small electronic devises can play a big role in your brain health.
When the Brain Is Deprived of Sound
If you are living with untreated hearing loss, missing familiar sounds goes beyond not being able to hear when your microwave is done. Your brain is used to receiving a certain amount of auditory information. When it is deprived of this information, which happens when hearing loss goes untreated, your brain will lose its ability to process specific information.
This is very similar to why experts recommend picking up a copy of The Herald
to complete the crossword – because exercising your brain keeps it healthy.
Research About Brain Protection
A 2019 study conducted at the University of Exeter and King’s College London found that people who wear hearing aids for age-related hearing loss maintain better brain function over time than those who do not.
The researchers enrolled 25,000 participants ages 50 and over into the PROTECT online study; all patients were diagnosed with age-related hearing loss. There were two groups of participants, those who wore hearing aids and those who did not. Both groups underwent annual cognitive tests over the two-year study period.
The results indicate that those who wore hearing aids performed better on tests that measured working memory and attention. They even revealed that the hearing aid wearers had faster reaction times.
According to Dr. Anne Corbett, the lead researcher of the study, “Previous research has shown that hearing loss is linked to a loss of brain function, memory and an increased risk of dementia. Our work is one of the largest studies to look at the impact of wearing a hearing aid, and suggests that wearing a hearing aid could actually protect the brain. We now need more research and a clinical trial to test this and perhaps feed into policy to help keep people healthy in later life.”
It has been well-documented that untreated hearing loss can increase your risk of developing dementia. While the findings from this study are limited, they show exciting potential. The researchers hope that they can inspire those with hearing loss to seek treatment earlier. As Professor Clive Ballard explains, “The message here is that if you’re advised you need a hearing aid, find one that works for you. At the very least it will improve your hearing and it could help keep your brain sharp too.”
To learn more about how to protect your brain health by treating your hearing loss or to schedule an appointment with an audiologist, contact Timpanogos Hearing & Balance today.
