According to Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. (leading researcher in hearing loss and dementia at Johns Hopkins), “Brain scans show us that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain”. “Hearing loss also contributes to social isolation. You may not want to be with people as much, and when you are you may not engage in conversation as much. These factors may contribute to dementia.”
Hearing loss may promote cognitive decline because when there is less input to the brain, auditory centers in the brain begin to degenerate, and the brain struggles to compensate. This feeds into the old theory of “if you don’t use it, you lose it”. We want to properly stimulate our brains to keep our brain working to its fullest potential.
Also consider: How can you be expected to remember something someone tells you if you do not hear what they said in the first place? Difficulty hearing can often lead to the worry that the person with hearing loss is having problems with their memory.
If you or someone you love has untreated hearing loss, please call Washington Hearing Center today to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation.