Prevent cognitive decline by boosting your hearing

Advertising content by Marie-Josée Paul, hearing aid specialist – The scientific journal The Lancet Commission discusses cognitive decline and hearing loss as the most important risk factor that can be treated, ahead of smoking, depression or even alcoholism, for example. This internationally renowned journal has determined that there is a linear link between cognitive decline and the severity of deafness. Thus, untreated mild hearing loss in adulthood could double the risk of cognitive decline; a moderate loss would result in up to three times the risk, and for a severe loss the risk would be five times greater.

Still in this same review, a figure attracts attention: if all hearing-impaired people were properly taken care of and wore a hearing aid, ONE in TEN cases of dementia could be avoided.

In another French scientific study (PAQUID), in addition to cognitive decline in hearing-impaired people without hearing aids, it was shown that dementia, dependence and depression would develop much more easily in people without hearing aids. Other surveys in Europe have also shown that people who use hearing aids tend to be less depressed and less tired in the evening.

Hearing loss leads to reduced brain stimulation and isolation in the majority of people. When a person has hearing loss, they have to make an extra effort to follow conversations, which often causes that person to limit social contact. Using hearing aids helps protect against cognitive decline by keeping the brain active through sound stimulation but also by allowing people to enjoy all daily activities (walking, cinema, family meals, etc.) that allow they also stimulate the brain and generate a state of well-being. Hearing aids therefore make it possible to improve mood, increase social interactions and participate in cognitively stimulating social activities and therefore partially slow down cognitive decline.

Presbycusis (age-related progressive sensorineural hearing loss) precedes the onset of cognitive decline by 5 to 10 years, and this decline is 30 to 40% faster in older people with untreated hearing loss. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Indeed, the management of hearing loss is among the 12 recommendations proposed by the WHO aimed at reducing the risks of cognitive decline and dementia.

Therefore, it is important to consider hearing screening tests to determine the presence or absence of hearing loss, even slight. Early treatment of hearing loss helps slow the progression of deafness and cognitive decline by stimulating your brain so that your memory and other cognitive abilities remain active.

If you think you have a hearing problem, do not hesitate to consult a hearing care professional at Cliniques Auditives Marie-Josée Paul. He will answer your questions and direct you to the professional who can help you.