Will hearing loss lead to dementia?

• 1 in every 10 adults aged 60 and above has dementia and this trend is on the rise, according to The Straits Times. By 2030, it is expected to increase to 1 in every 5 adults.

• Dementia can be defined as a condition that occurs to the brain; its symptoms include e.g.
  • Losing memory
  • Changes in temperament
  • Decline in logical thinking
  • Ability to communicate

• Similar to hearing loss, the condition is not necessarily a natural consequence of aging and it could happen to anyone, at any age. What could we do to reduce the risk of dementia, or before it gets worse?

• Researchers from John Hopkins University and National Institute on Aging revealed that untreated hearing loss could increase vulnerability in cognitive dysfunction over time.  And, the degree of hearing deficit correlates with the risk of developing dementia.

• One with moderate hearing loss has triple the risk of dementia, whereas a severe hearing loss is likely to increase the risk by five-fold, as compared to someone with normal hearing.

• A prolonged period of limited auditory inputs potentially results in a constant strain that influence the brain’s ability to decode sounds into meaningful experience. This, which is also known as “Cognitive Load”, eventually increases listening efforts and poorer auditory processing skills that make following conversations and speech understanding more difficult.
• Healthy level of auditory stimulation to correct hearing loss is one main way to sustain brain health and to fundamentally improve cognition, enhancing the quality of life of people with hearing difficulties.

At CLARITI – Hearing Care Professionals, we connect to people with hearing problems and help them to achieve more fulfilling, happier lives. Please do not hesitate to talk to our dedicated hearing care professionals for better understanding on the most appropriate solution for you and your loved ones.