The conference outlined the current state of research in hearing loss correlation with cognitive decline. There is a lot of advertising from hearing aid dispensers claiming that hearing loss causes Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia. The current research does not support such a direct claim. Here is what we DO know.
There is a statistical link between presence of hearing loss and decreasing cognitive function, but we cannot, at this time, say that hearing loss causes cognitive decline. There are many known factors that put a person at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia, including loss of blood flow, genetic predisposition, smoking, and depression. The protective factors (the factors that appear to help prevent these conditions) are cognitive engagement and physical activity.
Patients with hearing loss do have a lower rate of engagement with the world around them. We encourage our patients to pursue hearing aids to stay connected to their friends, family and community. We work to empower our patients to be active participants in conversation, and active participants in the world, and hearing well helps us stay connected.
We also want to provide responsible information to our patients. We understand that people are fearful of cognitive decline, and we do not want to take advantage of that fear. Our patients deserve to know what is true and current in hearing and brain health research.
Audiologists at Advanced Specialty Care always seek the most cutting edge information to understand how hearing loss and brain health are linked, and what hearing solutions best address these deficits. We have offices in Fairfield County, Connecticut in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Ridgefield.