An article by Alicia Sánchez Gil,
Audika hearing care professional
In Spain, 4.6 million people, that is, 10% of the population, have hearing loss or hearing impairment, a difficulty that begins to be more visible after the age of 50, according to the EuroTrack 2023 study. The hearing lossTraditionally, it has been perceived as a problem of aging or exposure to noise, but recent studies have revealed other links.
Some research indicates that age-related hearing loss not only affects the ability to listen, but there are also several plausible mechanisms that explain the relationship between hearing and cognition.
The relationship between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s
The link between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s has been the subject of extensive research. A key study conducted in 2011 found that People with mild hearing loss were twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with normal hearing.
For those with moderate hearing loss, the odds increased three times, and with severe hearing loss, up to five times. This finding suggests that hearing loss could be an independent risk factor for dementia, possibly by increasing cognitive load by making communication and social interactions more difficult.
However, the reason behind this relationship is not entirely clear, although one theory suggests that hearing loss could overload the brain. By having difficulties interpreting sounds, the brain is forced to use more cognitive resources, which would reduce the ability to perform other cognitive functions such as memorization or reasoning. An overexertion that, over time, could accelerate cognitive deterioration.
Another possible relationship between hearing loss and neurodegenerative diseases is guided by social disconnection which usually occurs in people with hearing loss. Having difficulty listening, these people tend to reduce their social life, thus avoiding the feeling of shame or frustration that not being able to maintain a conversation fluently can generate. In this way, different experts link this isolation with the possibility of accelerated symptoms of dementia.
The Impact of Hearing Loss on Cognitive and Sensory Function
Hearing loss affects the ability to perceive sounds and impacts cognitive and sensory functions. The ear is one of the main channels of information input to the brain, and when this is compromised, other areas of the brain work to compensate for this lack of information.
As a consequence of this scenario, people with hearing loss often experience a cognitive overload, since the brain works harder to interpret distorted or absent sounds. This overload can affect other cognitive functions, such as short-term memory and decision making.
On the other hand, it has been identified that Hearing loss also affects spatial perception and balancethus increasing the risk of falls in older people. The inner ear, in addition to its auditory function, plays a key role in the balance of the body.
Hearing loss and Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease, a pathology characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, has also been linked to hearing problems. A study published in JAMA Neurology (2014) evaluated 100 Parkinson’s patients and found that 68% of them experienced some degree of hearing loss. This percentage was significantly higher compared to a control group of similar age.
Furthermore, the severity of hearing loss correlated with the severity of motor symptoms. This study hypothesizes that Parkinson’s could cause damage to the central auditory pathways. It is also postulated that hearing loss could worsen the cognitive symptoms of Parkinson’s, since the lack of auditory stimuli affects the brain’s ability to maintain executive function and working memory, both aspects already compromised by the disease.
How to take care of hearing health to protect the brain
Although a treatment has not yet been discovered to prevent hearing loss, there are some tips that you should apply:
- Perform periodic hearing checks
Getting your hearing checked at least once a year, starting in your 50s, especially, can help detect problems before they become serious. For this reason, Audika offers completely free hearing checks in any of its network of centers in Spain.
- Have an active social life
Engaging in social activities, having conversations, and continuing to learn new things helps stimulate the brain and prevent isolation.
- Use headphones when necessary
The research you refer to suggested that the use of hearing aids or other listening assistance devices could reduce the risk of developing dementia, a hypothesis that various studies continue to analyze.
The Hearing aid technology has come a long way And today, they not only amplify sound, but also filter out background noise and adjust to different sound environments. These developments have allowed people with hearing loss to continue maintaining an active social life, thus protecting their cognitive function.
When to go to a specialist?
Although the exact link between hearing loss and neurodegenerative diseases is not yet fully understood, current studies highlight the importance of diagnosing and treating hearing loss early to mitigate its impact on cognitive decline
To mitigate the impact on cognitive health, it is essential to detect hearing problems in time.. To do this, it is advisable to pay attention to signs such as difficulty following conversations, or the need to constantly raise the volume. Given these symptoms, it would be advisable to go to a specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Pay attention to your ears and their signals to act preventively and guarantee your well-being.