Relationship Between Hearing Loss & Dementia

As people age, several things change in the body and mind. One health problem lingers on to another part of the body. The connections between brain cells begin to deteriorate, affecting one’s ability to carry out simple tasks.

You might have noticed your parents or grandparents asking the same thing a couple of things. You might have repeated it to the point where you felt like you were yelling. They might be suffering from hearing loss, which becomes prevalent as people age. Hearing loss consistently ranks among the top five causes of years lived with a disability in Canada. Unfortunately, the hearing loss puts one at increased risk of dementia.

The negative relationship between hearing loss and dementia is problematic for seniors. The risk of dementia rises as a person’s hearing worsens. So, if your loved one is showing symptoms of hearing loss, you need to keep an eye on them to prevent the matter from escalating.

If your loved one is already living with dementia, it can be helpful to move them into a dementia care home for them to attain constant care. At Sagecare, we provide a comfortable, home-like setting where residents can age in place.

The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia

When an individual begins to lose their hearing, activities in the brain also start to change. Studies propose that one common underlying cause of hearing loss and dementia is that the lack of sound causes the brain to shrink. After hearing loss occurs, fewer sounds transport to the brain, reducing brain use, causing it to shrink and decline. The decline in cognitive abilities can lead to dementia.

In addition, the cognitive impairment forces the brain’s resources to compensate for the hearing loss, and the brain is unable to carry out other tasks. Hearing loss puts a lot of pressure on the brain, leading to a risk of dementia.

There is ongoing research about the correlation to find further links. However, the relationship between hearing loss and dementia continues to be prevalent.

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How Hearing Loss Occurs

Many factors can contribute to hearing loss. Although sometimes it occurs with age, there are reasons for why it does happen. When people start to get older, exposure to loud noises can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in a part of the ear. Hearing loss occurs when these ear components are damaged or missing, and electrical signals aren’t efficiently transmitted.

In addition to changes in the ear due to noises and age, some other factors can also cause hearing loss. Luckily, cleaning ear wax can help to restore hearing. If an ear has earwax buildup, the wax can block the ear canal and prevent sound waves from conducting. However, if an individual already has dementia, cleaning earwax will not reverse the process. But, nurses at dementia care facilities will keep a close eye on the seniors to ensure that they don’t encounter any further problems, and reminding them to clean their ears is one of the steps.

Some other ways hearing loss occurs are through ear infections or ruptured eardrums. The main risk factors include ageing, loud noises, genetic makeup, some medications, or other illnesses that result in a high fever. Depending on the hearing loss type, some problems can be taken care of if addressed in time. Neglecting the issue and waiting too long can, unfortunately, lead to dementia development.

How Hearing Loss Changes the Brain

Untreated hearing loss and dementia are prevalent issues in seniors. When auditory deprivation occurs due to untreated hearing loss, your brain loses the ability to process sound. So, the brain focuses on that part of the brain, driving away attention from other assigned tasks, shrinking the brain. Untreated hearing loss can adversely affect the brain and gradually lead to a decline.

The underlying connection between dementia and hearing loss can result in a lower quality of life for seniors. When the brain changes, it is almost impossible to take it back to its previous state. Although nurses at dementia elderly care homes put in immense effort to help the residents, no one can go back in time and change the way a brain functions. It is vital to address hearing loss issues as they occur, as adequate care in the early stages can reduce the risks of developing dementia.

Stages of Dementia & Their Relation to Hearing Loss

A study tracking 639 adults found that people with mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate hearing loss tripled the risk, while severe hearing impairment was five times more likely to develop dementia.

Although dementia and hearing loss are co-related, the effect of hearing loss also varies upon the stages of dementia. If hearing loss occurs before an individual develops dementia, there are chances of reducing the risks of dementia.

Among the different types of dementia a person can develop, hearing loss is often linked to Alzheimer’s. However, hearing loss can cause other types of dementia as well. Hearing loss is usually less prevalent in the early stages of dementia. At severe stages of dementia, hearing loss becomes a bigger problem, and it is difficult to bounce back from it. At that point, the brain has accepted the changes and cannot go back to its original form.

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Preventing Dementia Caused by Hearing Loss

Although there is no cure for dementia, if hearing loss increases the risk of dementia, an individual can attempt to reduce the chances. If you notice your loved one struggling to keep up with a conversation or unable to communicate their thoughts, they might be starting to suffer from hearing loss.

Dementia and hearing loss are closely connected. So, taking measures to enhance hearing can help an individual lower the risk of developing dementia. Consider using hearing aids to improve hearing so that the brain does not struggle and start to shrink.

It is also essential to take any ear infections or earwax seriously and address the problems before they escalate. Treating hearing loss at early stages can slow down the chances of dementia.

Dementia and hearing loss are both significant issues that can alter an individual’s life. If your loved one hasn’t noticed the changes, it might be your turn to ensure they receive the care they need. Preventive measures can go a long way and save you from a lot of worries in the future. At any point, Sagecare is here to guide you through the right path.