Studies find that hearing and memory loss are linked
According to a study attributed to the Alzheimer’s Association (AA), in conjunction with the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), strong evidence suggests that hearing impairment contributes to the progression of mental impairment in older adults.
“People living with Alzheimer’s face many challenges,” says Sergei Kochkin, executive director of the BHI. “Hearing loss should not have to be one of them. When hearing loss is left unaddressed, it can significantly compound the challenges that people with Alzheimer’s and their families already face.”
The BHI’s research has discovered that people with Alzheimer’s who regularly wear hearing devices in combination with a consistently practiced aural retraining therapy program are able to diminish the wide range of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Ten signs to watch out Ffor
The Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) has identified the following signs to help identify the mental changes that may be early signs of Alzheimer’s.
1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and special relationship
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood or personality
If you are concerned that you or a loved one might be experiencing the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, it is recommended that you maintain your regular hearing evaluations. Working with your hearing health care professional to detect these warning signs as early as possible is a critical first step in confirming an accurate diagnosis and creating an effective long-term plan of treatment for Alzheimer’s and hearing loss.
