Quality of life, safety, and well being are influenced by our ability to hear and communicate with others. Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is something most of us will eventually endure. Don’t ignore your hearing loss because you assume it is “just a normal part of aging.” How we choose to deal with hearing loss is more critical than one may realize.
“Hearing loss is not an inconsequential side effect of aging,” said Dr. Megan Johnson of Johnson Audiology, noting that recent studies have linked untreated hearing loss with accelerated cases of dementia, Alzheimer’s and overall mental decline.
In a recent study at Johns Hopkins involving men and women ages 75-84,researchers concluded that over a six year period, cognitive abilities including memory and concentration of those with hearing loss declined 30-40% faster as compared to people with normal hearing.
Dr. Susan Porter states, “It’s imperative to stimulate the auditory pathway from your ear to your brain. The longer you ignore hearing loss, the harder it is to adjust to amplification when you finally decide to get help.”
Dr. Courtney Guthrie added, “Untreated hearing loss will eventually lead to social withdrawal, and the lack of social stimulation and interaction will increase the rate for
developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.