Are you ignoring your gradual loss of hearing? Perhaps you are procrastinating about getting it checked? New research by Dr Frank Lin from John Hopkins University has found that untreated hearing loss may accelerate the onset of dementia.
Previous research found a link between brain changes and hearing loss. Dr Lin was keen to find out if the changes were caused by the hearing loss or vice versa. As part of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, 126 participants underwent yearly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track brain changes for up to 10 years.
In January 2015, Dr Lin reported that those participants whose hearing was already impaired at the start of the study had experienced brain atrophy at a faster rate compared to those with normal hearing.
While more studies need to be done, Dr Lin is urging people who have an identified hearing loss to take action.
“If you want to address hearing loss well,” he said, “… do it sooner rather than later. If hearing loss is potentially contributing to these differences we’re seeing on MRI, you want to treat it before these brain structural changes take place.”
Dr Lin is hoping to do further studies to determine whether treating hearing loss early minimised the chance of patients developing health problems such as dementia, falls and increased hospitalisations.
Bruce Allen of Hear-Clear Australia said this is an important finding that should encourage people to take action without delay.
“Unfortunately,” he said, “many people find ways of coping with their hearing loss or make excuses for the gradual deterioration in sound. This research should serve as a warning to get your hearing checked and wear hearings aids if they are prescribed.”
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