The latest REACT findings reveal that untreated hearing loss poses a serious threat to cognitive health. This underscores the importance of innovative early intervention. Experts in neurology and cognitive health are calling for hearing loss to be treated as soon as possible in order to decrease its cognitive toll. This preventive mindset will help to lower the likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia — disorders that impact more than 55 million people around the world.
Science has long known the direct connection between hearing loss and the risk for cognitive decline. People who already have hearing loss are at an increased risk of developing other ailments like Alzheimer’s disease. Untreated hearing loss has far-reaching consequences beyond the auditory realm, impacting overall brain health and function.
Getting hearing loss treated in the early stages will be especially important to preserving cognitive functioning. As people handle their hearing loss, they can dramatically reduce the cognitive burden their brains are under. This mitigation is essential, since increased cognitive load has been linked to faster progression of cognitive decline over time. As age-related processes take hold, timely intervention becomes vital for protecting cognitive health.
Research shows that hearing loss may act as a bellwether for dementia onset. As people age or start to experience problems associated with loss of hearing, their likelihood of developing dementia rises accordingly. As we’ve explored in our series, hearing loss is much more than just an auditory issue—it is deeply tied to the brain’s overall health and performance.
Additionally, high sugar consumption has been identified as yet another driver behind an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have found that a diet high in sugar may be linked to increased cognitive decline. This risk ramps up even more, particularly when it is combined with other factors such as hearing impairment. Adding a healthy diet to the list of listening-related things to do might be especially important for protecting cognitive health.
The link between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease is especially alarming. Impairment in hearing has recently been shown to be one of the most important risk factors for this life-altering disease. As individuals navigate their later years, recognizing the signs of hearing loss and seeking appropriate interventions can potentially alter their cognitive trajectories.
It is key to recognize that the effects of hearing loss go well beyond the auditory domain. It influences social interactions and emotional well-being, contributing to feelings of isolation and depression. These factors are known to adversely affect cognitive function. Improving hearing loss can reverberate throughout a person’s mental and emotional states.
Healthcare experts stress that people can’t afford to ignore the early warning signs of hearing loss. Timely diagnosis and intervention, as with many other diseases, can dramatically shape long-term outcomes. Audiologists and neurologists alike advocate for the imperative of universal hearing testing. This is doubly important for older adults and people at risk for cognitive decline.
Along with treating hearing loss, leading a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in lowering the risk of cognitive decline. Stick with a healthy, low-sugar diet. Improve your health by getting regular physical activity and taking part in mentally stimulating pursuits. Together, these preventive measures can greatly protect against memory-related diseases.