Dementia and Hearing Loss

Sep 19, 2022

Dementia and Hearing Loss

I have seen patients who were diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss at the age of 55 but

refused to wear hearing aids due to various factors such as cosmetic issues, cost factors and

stigma.

Besides the factors mentioned by the patients, I discussed with them the association between

hearing loss and dementia.

At first, they were surprised to hear about it and they decided to give hearing aids a try after some

consultations.

Well, I guess it’s time to share with you more on this topic.

Hearing loss is an important risk factor for dementia

According to the World Health Organization, dementia is classified as a major public health

problem that could impact human life profoundly.

Untreated hearing loss could lead to dementia.

A study done by Johns Hopkins University in 2011 reported patients with mild hearing loss are

two times more likely to develop dementia, moderate hearing loss tripled the risk, and patients

with severe hearing loss are at five times higher risk to develop dementia.

Auditory fatigue and social isolation

Hearing loss can cause auditory fatigue when the brains need to work harder as the patients need

to focus more to listen, especially in a noisy environment.

It drains their energy and often causes the patients to give up on communicating and socialising

with their family members and friends.

They may start withdrawing themselves from human interaction and end up in social isolation.

How hearing aids can help?

Wearing hearing aids keeps the brain stimulated and reduces patients’ listening efforts.

The audiologist will fine-tune the hearing aids to make sure their hearing aids are fitted optimally.

These make the patients be able to hear again and allow them to engage in a conversation with

their loved ones.

Some studies suggest that it may be essential to treat the hearing loss before significant brain

shrinkage occurs. However, there is a lack of research proving that treating hearing loss could

slow down or reverse the progress of dementia.

Start your hearing journey with us

Patients with hearing loss need more than just a pair of hearing aids.

They also need audiologists who can make an accurate diagnosis and provide professional

consultation to solve their hearing problems.

Visit the nearest 20dB Hearing Center today for a hearing test!

- Tong Lee Choo, Clinical Audiologist at 20dB Hearing Johor Bharu-

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