Results from the University of Oxford show that hearing impairment could be an early warning sign for dementia. The study observed 82,000 individuals aged 60 and over to see how well they heard speech in noisy settings – grouping them as normal, insufficient or poor listeners. After 11 years’ follow-up period it was concluded that those with difficulty discerning spoken words were 91% more likely to struggle with cognitive deterioration than their counterparts whose ears remain sharp enough to hear properly in a cacophony environment.
Untreated Hearing Loss and Dementia
These findings come at a time where there is growing evidence that the risk of developing dementia can be reduced through the treatment of other pre-existing conditions. Several other studies have also pointed specifically to hearing loss as a key factor, with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) estimating that it may be responsible for up to 9% of dementia cases. A review from the Ear Foundation in 2019 found further links between the two conditions, concluding that over 60% of adults living with dementia will also have hearing impairment and over 90% of adults living with dementia in aged care will have hearing impairment.
While no studies have yet been able to identify exactly what causes the link between cognitive decline and hearing loss, many have pointed to the communication difficulties experienced by those with untreated hearing impairments. Difficulty hearing can make communicating confusing and frustrating for those affected by hearing loss; this often causes them to withdraw from conversations, leading to loneliness and fewer social interactions. The resulting social isolation has been associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020), showing how crucial social connections and interactions are to maintaining cognitive health.
Over time, hearing loss can happen without you even realizing it. From difficulty in understanding conversations to ringing in the ear or an inability to hear certain sounds – these are all common signs of a possible impairment and should be taken seriously!
- Difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Finding it difficult to keep up with conversations
- Increasing the volume when watching TV or listening to music
If you have noticed any changes to your hearing, we would recommend having your hearing checked by a qualified audiologist here at Hummingbird Hearingcare. Getting your hearing tested regularly (every two years) means that hearing loss can be identified and addressed early on, minimising its impact on your quality of life.