Hearing Loss and Dementia: Why Addressing Hearing Problems Is Essential

It’s something most of us don’t think about, especially as we’re getting older. The TV volume may be a little higher, we may strain to hear conversations in restaurants, what was easy to hear not that long ago isn’t so easy anymore. But hearing loss may have devastating consequences that many people never consider.

“Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of dementia,” says Ravi Samy, MD, the new chief of the division of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). “About 80 percent of Americans have significant hearing loss by the time they are 80 years old.”

A 12-year study by Frank Lin, MD, PhD, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, indicates that mild hearing loss doubles the risk for dementia, moderate hearing loss triples the risk, and those with severe hearing impairment are at five times the risk.

“The data also shows that most people do not like wearing hearing aids (one in seven people over age 50 wear hearing aids, according to the Lin study),” Dr. Samy says. “They’re more likely to think the problem is not that bad right now, and they’ll address it at a later time.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, natural aging and chronic exposure to loud noises are among the most common causes of hearing loss. The March of Dimes points out that three of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. come into the world with hearing loss. Dr. Samy notes that every state mandates hearing tests for all newborns before they leave the hospital.

Clearly, protecting your hearing is important. Here are some tips that should help:

1. Address chronic loud noises – This may be as simple as avoiding them. But in some occupations and social situations, that can be difficult to do. “Maximizing ear protection is essential in these situations,” Dr. Samy says. “But it can be as simple as turning down the TV or your music at home. Teenagers, for example, can easily process louder noises, but as you get older the impact accumulates.”
2. Get hearing tests – Dr. Samy will be looking to initiate a community plan emphasizing the importance of regular hearing tests. “Today, you can take a hearing test online or through an app,” Dr. Samy says. “It’s not the same as getting a comprehensive test from a trained audiologist, but it can give you an idea of where you are with your hearing.”
3. Get help for your hearing problems – Hearing aids and in more severe cases, cochlear implants, can be crucial in staving off dementia or curtailing its progression. Hearing aids continue to get smaller and less noticeable, and usually make a significant improvement. “The technology today is incredible, and it just keeps getting better,” Dr. Samy says. “The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved over-the-counter hearing aids, much like the glasses you can buy at pharmacies. It’s making these devices much more affordable.”

Taking care of your hearing can make a big difference in your overall health as life goes on. If you encounter any problems along the way, specialists such as Dr. Samy are here to assist.

“I’ve worked with patients from 6 months to 98 years,” Dr. Samy says. “Nothing is as good as your natural hearing, but what we have been able to do with these devices is amazing.”