With the aging process comes many attacks against our health. Whenever something effects us… it also effects our loved ones. If your loved one gets Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) it is a war in which your whole family must battle. Over 5 million people in our country have AD and that number will double for every 5 year interval beyond age 65. There are many types of dementia and many people actually have a combination of dementia.
Dementia takes place when our healthy neurons in our brain dies excessively. This causes the inability to do normal tasks, remember things, speak normally, pay attention and focus, visual perception may be skewed, emotions may not be in control. People with dementia may become paranoid.
It is now known that there is a link between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s Disease. In fact; wearing an appropriately fitting hearing instrument can slow down the progression of cognitive decline by up to 75% in people with a high risk factor for dementia.
Normal hearing ranges between 0- 20 decibels. Studies at John Hopkins, show that even a hearing loss of greater than 25db increases the risk of dementia. (That is less a whisper below normal). In fact, people with hearing loss were 24% more likely to develop dementia. When a person has a hearing loss then it is harder to process thoughts. The brain has to work harder at processing auditory information and it will adapt how it does this. When a person isn’t hearing well; then all day long they use all their mental energy trying to communicate and thus the other mental functions are pushed to the back of the grid. Therefore, they may not remember where they put things, or the directions that were given to them. This may cause arguments with friends and family. Life is short…eliminate unnecessary arguments!
Eventually; because it’s so difficult to understand people they may start to withdraw from situations that cause them confusion and stress. This separation from friends, families, and activities often causes depression. It is known that staying active and engaged helps to fight off the risk of getting dementia.
On going research shows that risk factors include:
- drinking excessive alcohol.
- Eating fatty foods that contribute to cholesterol lining and fats building up on the lining of arteries. If the arteries become blocked then blood can not get to the brain which may lead to a stroke.
- Diabetes, if not controlled can increase the risk of strokes… thus dementia.
- Hypertension/high blood pressure, and smoking.
- Mental illness which causes depression.
- Genetic, more than one family member with dementia increases the risk.
- Age, risk increases as we get older.
Eating a healthy diet low in fats and sugar; along with getting daily exercise is known to help ward off many ailments. Research shows this and plenty of good sleep is also helpful with the battle against Alzheimer’s Disease.
Every adult who is experiencing any type of communication difficulty should have their hearing tested. Everyone 50 years of age should have a complete diagnostic hearing evaluation. Thorough testing reveals not just hearing loss but many other possible health related issues that may be looming in the distance.
Uncorrected hearing loss contributes to Alzheimer’s. See a hearing health care provider and start monitoring your hearing. The sooner you correct your hearing loss the better the chance of possibly preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. Enjoy your life. Wear a hearing instrument and continue to be active and mentally healthy. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. To Hear Better Is To Live Better.
By: Roseann B. Kiefer, B.A., BC-HIS