The human brain is a magnificent driver of the bodily network. Not only does the brain regulate and maintain basic autonomous functioning, such as the circulatory and respiratory systems, but it also comes up with creative solutions and invents the works of art, music, and literature that are the paragon of human society. This remarkable organ remains only partially understood, even by top experts in neurology. As we continue to learn more about brain functioning and cognition, even more questions arise. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia remain some of the mysteries of the mind. Although experts are coming to understand more about the process of cognitive decline and some of the factors that correlate with dementia, they have yet to find a way to stop or reverse the advancement of Alzheimer’s once it begins. In order to promote further research in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we set aside the month of September each year to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Month. This month is devoted to public advocacy for increased resources to be allocated to the disease, both for research and for treatment. Those who care for people with Alzheimer’s deserve our applause and appreciation, so this month also serves as a reminder to reach out to those in your life who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, whether at home or in a professional facility. In addition to promoting more resources for Alzheimer’s and expressing gratitude for caregivers, what are practical steps you can take to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Month? It might come as a surprise that getting a hearing test is a way to celebrate this month. What does hearing loss have to do with Alzheimer’s? Some recent studies have exposed a powerful connection between these two conditions. You can take the opportunity of this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month to learn more about the connection and to schedule a hearing test for yourself or a loved one.
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Health
Although many mysteries remain about the cognitive process, brain imaging technology has taught us a lot about the way the mind works in a variety of situations. For example, neuroscientists can watch the brain in action when posed with a variety of tasks, and what they see reveals a lot about the cognitive process. A recent study recruited a group of people for this type of observation, and the scholars observed a surprising process in the mind of those with hearing loss. The participants in the study who did not have hearing loss showed a cognitive process that did not surprise the scholars. When posed with increasingly difficult questions, these brains activated the part of the frontal cortex that is devoted to complex thought. However, even those who had mild hearing loss showed a different pattern. When they were presented with simple prompts in conversation, they also recruited part of the brain that is normally devoted to complex reasoning. It appears that the relatively simple task of auditory processing required more brain power, and they gave part of the brain that is usually reserved for higher-order thinking to the task of interpreting sound. This finding surprised many scholars of cognition and auditory processing. They did not expect those who had mild hearing loss to show such a conversion of brain power in this way.
Preventing Alzheimer’s
When it comes to Alzheimer’s prevention, no single behavior is a certain way to keep cognitive decline at bay. However, experts think in terms of risk reduction. At the level of population averages, certain behaviors can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, on average. Getting treatment for hearing loss is one of those behaviors. Although wearing hearing aids doesn’t eliminate the risk of hearing loss altogether, it can reduce the additional risk that we witness among those who have hearing loss. For this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month, why not schedule a hearing test? This exam will let you know if and when treatment is necessary. The sooner you get treatment for hearing loss, the better your chances of avoiding Alzheimer’s. This year can be your opportunity to start on a path toward cognitive health and continued functioning down the line.
