Researchers continue to push to better understand Alzheimer’s disease, what causes it, and if there is a cure. New studies have shown that hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease may be connected. Hearing loss does not cause Alzheimer’s, but studies and research indicate there is a link.
5.8 million. That is the number of Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. In 30 years, that number will nearly triple. One in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia. That number is higher than deaths from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Right now there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. It is an extremely complicated disease that is much more than memory loss or forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s disease destroys nerve connections in the brain. Over time, ordinary things like feeding yourself, swallowing or mobility become increasingly difficult to do. The complications from this decline in brain function are what eventually can lead to death.
Researchers continue to push to better understand Alzheimer’s disease, what causes it, and if there is a cure. New studies have shown that hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease may be connected. Hearing loss does not cause Alzheimer’s, but studies and research indicate there is a link.
Hearing & Alzheimer’s Connections
Cognitive Load
A study conducted at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore found that after five years of untreated hearing loss, a person’s risk of dementia increases by 50%. This is connected to what is called “cognitive load”. It means that if you can’t hear well, you devote more mental energy to listening. It doesn’t sound like something that would have a large impact on your brain, but it does. When your brain has to work harder to hear conversations and make sense of muffled sounds, there is left energy left for cognitive functions like learning and remembering.
Auditory Processing
Our ears are full of microscopic hair cells that carpet our inner ears. Tiny little hairs spring out of each of these cells (about 20,000 of them per ear!). When sound waves hit those hairs, they bend and move sending signals to our brain. Our auditory cortex receives those signals and figures out what that noise is, what it means and what we might need to do.
The part of your brain in charge of hearing and processing sound information changes when
Depression & Isolation
Seniors who cannot hear often become frustrated and avoid social situations. They may be fearful of not hearing important information, or simply embarrassed to continually ask for things to be repeated. The mental and physical impact of isolation can be very harmful. A person who isolates themselves can quickly retreat into depression.
How to Reduce Hearing Loss
It is important to note that hearing loss doesn’t automatically equal Alzheimer’s disease. Many seniors who experience hearing loss as they age will not and do not have Alzheimer’s disease. But the link to hearing loss and Alzheimer’s is enough to suggest that minimizing hearing loss can minimize the likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s disease.
Take Care of Your Ears
Remember those 20,000 microscopic hairs in your ear? Don’t overload them with music and sounds that are too loud. Anything over 85 decibels is too much for your ears to handle. If you use earbuds, keep them clean and don’t jam things (headphone or Q-Tips, etc) down into your ears. Better than earbuds are over the ear noise canceling headphone that can protect your ears and dampen ambient noise.
Fitness & Good Food
A workout can actually cut your risk of hearing loss. This is most likely because when you are working out, blood flow to the inner ear is increased. A study published in the American Journal of Audiology found that people with higher cardiorespiratory fitness were 6% more likely to have better hearing.
Many of the foods associated with heart health are also good for your hearing. The omega-3 fatty acids in diets heavy in fruits, vegetables, whole grains
Sound Check
If your healthcare provider isn’t checking your hearing during an exam, ask them to check your hearing. You may need to visit an audiologist for an in-depth examination, but if you are worried about hearing loss it will be worth it. It is recommended that people in their early 50s have a sound check performed to get a baseline of where their hearing is so changes can be noted.
Memory Care at The Legacy
Evergreen Senior Living provides a dedicated memory care unit in Decatur, Chillicothe and Orland Park. This unit is called “The Legacy” and is a secure environment specifically designed for seniors experiencing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Staff is specially trained to care for residents living in their care. You can learn more about our philosophy of “Life Unrehearsed”, our services and our mission by visiting our website. Virtual tours and photographs of each community are also available.
