Are hearing loss and dementia related? Ask an audiologist!
Hearing loss is more common than we think, affecting thousands if not millions of people in the United States alone. Older adults are more likely to have some form of hearing loss, and some say that this can cause dementia. Does hearing loss cause dementia? Let’s take a look at what hearing loss and dementia are and how the two are related.
What Is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is the inability of the human ear to function at its full capacity to pick up and translate sound. It comes in different forms, namely conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is when the hearing impairment is due to a blockage, such as impacted ear wax or distorted bone growth in the ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss is a hearing impairment caused by damage to the ear, such as to the hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve. This kind of hearing loss is generally irreversible, which is why it is so important to protect your hearing throughout your life.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is an overarching term for a variety of illnesses dealing with atrophy of the brain. It has a collection of symptoms that include:
- Forgetfulness
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Confusion
- Language difficulties
- Inability to plan, solve problems, and track time
- Inability to carry out daily tasks
- Mood swings
- Frustration or irritability
- Inappropriate behavior
Types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Frontotemporal dementia.
Does Hearing Loss Cause Dementia?
Hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of dementia or exacerbate a developing condition, but it does not necessarily cause dementia. Hearing loss can be related to dementia in that it limits brain stimulation, can lead to cognitive overload, and changes how the brain perceives sound.
Treating Hearing Loss
The best ways to combat hearing loss are to eat healthy foods, limit the use of junk food, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, and see an audiologist for hearing loss treatment. Hearing aids do not replace our ears, but they do help the brain process sounds again at a healthy level.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
This entry was posted on Friday, March 21st, 2025 at 7:05 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.