September is World Alzheimer’s Month

September is World Alzheimer’s Month

In Alzheimer’s and Dementia by Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS

Ed Kocher, ACA, BC-HIS

It’s World Alzheimer’s Month! Every September, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), along with doctors and professionals around the globe, raises awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, advocating for those suffering from brain diseases, and encouraging people to reduce their risks of developing this disease. Millions of Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, and it’s one of the most common chronic illnesses faced by seniors in the U.S. Are you worried about your brain health, or about one of your loved ones? Treating hearing loss could be the key to reducing cognitive decline and improving brain health.

Hearing Loss Accelerates Cognitive Decline

Have you ever wondered what accelerates cognitive decline? You know that brain health is often affected by a stroke, concussion, accident, or injury. Social isolation also plays a role in cognitive health, and those who lack a healthy social life have rapid cognitive decline and poor brain health. Did you know that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline? In older adults, hearing loss has been linked to rapid cognitive decline and worse health outcomes, including slow performance on cognitive tasks, increased irritability, greater risk of accidents, more hospitalizations, and poor quality of life. Meanwhile, those that wear hearing aids enjoy better brain health, and score the same on cognitive tests as those with normal hearing.

Hearing loss affects cognition in profound ways. Hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline through brain strain. When you strain to hear, you place a lot of stress on your brain, and you spend so much energy trying to hear what’s been said that you don’t have any processing power left over to make sense of the words. This brain strain is exhausting and leads to cognitive decline. Untreated hearing loss also makes the brain shrink! Researchers at the John’s Hopkins School of Medicine discovered that those with untreated hearing loss have rapid loss of brain cells. MRI studies that map the brain show that those with hearing loss had more rapid rates of brain atrophy, especially in regions responsible for speech and language production.

Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

Rapid cognitive decline plays a big role in the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. When the brain undergoes cognitive decline, and doesn’t get enough healthy exercise, the door is opened for degenerative brain diseases. Alzheimer’s Disease is caused by a growth in cells in the brain called plaques and tangles. These cells spread throughout the areas of the brain, and weaken the connections between regions of the brain. Keeping the brain active and healthy reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by strengthening these connections, and not allowing these other cells to grow.

Improving Hearing Improves Brain Health

Treating hearing loss early is the best thing you can do for your brain health. Treat your hearing loss before you experience brain shrinkage or cognitive decline. Hearing aids mitigate the negative mental and social consequences of hearing loss, and keep your body and mind healthier. Hearing aids restore your ability to communicate, and have meaningful conversations with the ones you love. Those who wear hearing aids are able to participate in social events, and enjoy dinner with friends even in a crowded restaurant with a lot of background noise. They can engage in stimulating activities like learning a new skill, starting a new hobby, or discovering a new favorite coffee shop across town. Clear hearing gives people back their confidence and self-esteem, and they’ll lead more fulfilling lives. They enjoy improved mood, more social interactions, and greater energy levels. Hearing aids reduce cognitive decline, and improve brain health.

Advanced Tech Hearing Aid Centers

At Advanced Tech Hearing Aid Centers, our team of hearing health specialists are dedicated to your hearing health and your brain health. We want you to hear clearly, enjoy great brain health, and stay mentally and cognitively fit. Call us today to book an appointment, and learn more about your hearing health. During the initial appointment and hearing test, we’ll test your hearing abilities to discover exactly which sounds you can and can’t hear, and find the perfect devices to match both your hearing needs and lifestyle. Wear your devices every day, and enjoy easy hearing. You’ll be able to follow conversations, lead an active social life, learn new skills, and lower your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.