As we age, discussions that we choose to ignore when we were younger now turn into reality.

In 2019, a poll found that about half of Americans from ages 50-60 felt like they were going to develop some type of subjective cognitive decline. It is a more common discussion topic now than it was due to the access we have to the internet and social media. As a result of these discussions, increasing research has been conducted on contributing factors to cognitive decline. One factor that was very prominent in this research was hearing loss.

Hearing loss requires extra brain power- this limits the resources that are available in the brain for memory and thinking processes. When a person is using their auditory cortex, the part of the brain that controls hearing, they are receiving something called sensory stimulation. Sensory stimulation is when you activate one or more of your five senses through environmental stimuli to promote arousal, well-being, and cognitive function. When your brain lacks this type of stimulation, it can begin to atrophy- decreasing in cells and wasting away. According to Hearing Healthcare of East Gwillimbury, “…people with diminished hearing lost more than an additional cubic centimeter of brain tissue each year compared to those with normal hearing. People with hearing loss also experienced more shrinkage in the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri—parts of the brain that process sound and speech”. You want to have as much access and mobility of your five senses to keep your brain healthy and strong: hearing being one of them.

When a sense starts to lessen or disappear, it also can initiate social isolation and depression. If you are developing hearing loss, you may not want to be around others as much anymore. And even when you are, you may not want to be included in conversations. The American Academy for Audiology states, “The survey of 2,300 adults, aged 50 years and older, with hearing impairment, found that those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety, and paranoia and were less likely to participate in organized social activities, compared to those who wear hearing aids”. When you begin to be isolated, depression symptoms can begin to emerge. This can turn into a vicious cycle: Diminished hearing, isolation, depression, beginning of cognitive decline, hearing loss getting worse, continued isolation, continued depression, cognitive decline, and the cycle continues. On average, it usually takes someone about seven to ten years before getting help with their own hearing loss. And at this point, damage to the hearing cannot be reversed and neither can the stimulation the brain has been lacking. The harm to the cognitive function of your brain is a sealed deal. Now those fears are seriously becoming a reality and way too quickly. Acting early on is the most important part, and there is a tool that can help: hearing aids.

Recent research has shown that people who are using properly fit hearing aids lessens the risk of cognitive decline. It has also been shown to have an improvement in those who are at high risk of dementia. “Properly fit hearing aids are known to reduce listening effort, allowing for more cognitive resources to be available for other brain tasks. Hearing aids can also re-stimulate areas of the brain that have been neglected due to hearing loss. Lastly, hearing aids are known to improve social communication, which may prevent or delay dementia,” says the American Academy of Audiology. As we grow older, we can all say our hearing loss is not to the point of needing hearing aids, or “my hearing won’t get there”. Being afraid of aging and what it means is completely normal, but it does not mean our brains should suffer because of it. In an article from PubMed Central, they discussed how dementia is one of the biggest global challenges for health and social care right now. The demographic for this is people 65 years and older and it is rising because of increasing longevity. Close to 50 million people live with this condition and it is likely to grow at least three times to nearly 152 million by 2050, with more than half of people aged 85 or older affected by cognitive impairment.

So, if something like cognitive decline can be avoided by a simple hearing evaluation and hearing aids, why are we so afraid? When someone puts on hearing aids, does that mean they are admitting they are old? No, they just want to feel younger and be more involved with their lives. Having the right pair of hearing aids for this process is the most important part. At the Centers for Hearing Care, we take each individual situation of diminished hearing into account. We know that no hearing loss is the same, and how important it is to take care of your hearing. It doesn’t matter if you are 30 years old or 75 years old, we make sure that every patient is satisfied with the tools we provide for them. Not only do we care about your hearing, but we also care about your brain.

Resources: https://www.eghearing.ca/effects-brain-caused-hearing-loss/, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8538578/, https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/hearing-and-balance/dementia-and-hearing-loss/, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss#:~:text=Brain%20scans%20show%20us%20that,engage%20in%20conversation%20as%20much.