The brain is a complex organ, and much remains unknown about its functioning and health. Although researchers have learned a lot about the nature of healthy brain functioning as well as cognitive disorders such as dementia, much remains to be discovered. One area of thriving research regards the relationship between hearing loss and dementia. Although the connection might not seem intuitive, population statistics reveal that those who have untreated hearing loss have significantly higher likelihood of developing dementia than their demographic counterparts who do not have hearing loss. Furthermore, once dementia sets in, the rate of cognitive decline for those with untreated hearing loss is much faster than those who do not have hearing loss. What accounts for these differences? Let’s consider the relationship between communication, language, and brain health to better understand how hearing loss comes into the picture. The good news is that recent research shows that wearing hearing aids reduces the risk of dementia for those who have hearing loss. With that news in mind, it is more important than ever to get a hearing test and to start on the path toward treatment.
Communication and Brain Health
We know that communication is crucial to ongoing brain health as we age. Although the brain is not a muscle, many experts use the analogy of brain “exercise” to explain how using the brain promotes its ongoing wellbeing. When we present the brain with puzzles, complex questions, and opportunities for improvisation, we are actually strengthening neural pathways and creating new ones. However, when we do not use these brain functions, they can become disconnected. Those who give their brains problems to solve and puzzles have lower rates of dementia than their counterparts who do not use these tactics. Recent research suggests that communication acts as a type of brain puzzle, as well. When we listen to another person speak, we are entering into an improvisatory process. We answer questions, respond to their comments with appropriate follow-up comments, and come up with our own questions that are germane to the conversation. This process presents the brain with stimulation that creates a healthy network of neural pathways going forward.
Hearing Loss and Dementia
A person with hearing loss encounters a different set of puzzles. When those who do not have hearing loss enter into a conversation, they are presented with a relatively complete profiles of audio information, taking shape in words, phrases, and sentences. Those who have hearing loss, however, do not receive language in comprehensible units. Instead, they hear a jumble to random phonemes and syllables with missing pieces strewn throughout. This jumble of sound presents itself to the brain as a puzzle to solve. Rather than devoting brain power to the improvisatory process of complex thought, resources must be devoted to the relatively simple task of turning sound into language. Brain imaging has actually shown the process of redistributing mental resources from complex thought to audio processing. Even those with mild hearing loss tend to use the portion of their brain that is devoted to complex thought for simple audio decoding. Although these images are not sufficient to understand the complex connection between hearing loss and dementia, they give some clues into what might be happening. If the brain is reconfiguring itself to understand sound as language, then its resources for memory and complex thought may be depleted.
Treatment and Dementia Risk
The good news is that those who get treatment for hearing loss have less risk of dementia than those who need hearing aids but do not wear them. Although hearing aids do not eliminate the risk of dementia altogether, they are considered a healthy tool to reduce the risk. If you have hearing loss but do not currently wear hearing aids, this information can be vital encouragement to get started toward treatment. The first step is to get a hearing test, and our hearing health professionals can provide a thorough diagnosis of your needs, as well as the treatment options that are suited to you. The latest hearing aids have features that integrate with your life in other ways, so you might be surprised how helpful they can be for dementia prevention, integrating hearing assistance and brain games into the same devices.
