Your whole life can be impacted by age-related hearing loss. Not only is your ability to hear impacted, but also your social connections, your professional networks, and even your cognitive abilities. Over time, hearing loss can profoundly impact how your brain works in ways that directly impact your mood, your memory, and more.
The relationship between cognition and hearing loss isn’t always evident. People typically don’t associate their memory issues, for instance, with hearing loss even though it’s one of the very first symptoms. Unfortunately, the reality is that memory loss and hearing loss are closely connected.
What’s the connection between memory and hearing loss? Well, hearing loss puts a unique strain on your brain and that’s, at least to some extent, the connection. Often, when your hearing loss symptoms are effectively managed, your cognitive abilities will improve.
How memory is impacted by hearing loss
Detecting hearing loss can often be difficult. It isn’t uncommon for individuals to miss the more discreet and early signs. For these individuals hearing loss may only become noticeable once it has become moderate or severe. In part, that’s because hearing loss tends to progress rather gradually. Individuals frequently begin increasing the volume on their devices more and more and tend to dismiss their symptoms.
Another factor is how good the brain is at compensating for loss of sound. Consequently, you may not notice that people are harder to understand. The positive thing about this is that your day-to-day life will have fewer disruptions. However, compensating in this way requires considerable brain power. Requiring your brain to execute at this level for long durations can result in:
- Memory loss or forgetfulness
- Unexplained irritability
- Chronic fatigue
If you’re having these symptoms, we’ll be able to tell you whether the underlying cause is hearing loss or not. If it’s established that you’re dealing with hearing loss, we can help you develop the best treatment plan.
Can memory issues be the outcome of hearing loss?
Obviously, your brain can be impacted by hearing loss in other ways besides mental exhaustion. Forgetfulness is a prevalent symptom. When hearing loss has been neglected, this is especially true. The cause and effect relationship isn’t fully understood, but it’s clear that there is a link between hearing loss and the following problems:
- Social isolation: It’s not uncommon for individuals to disengage from social contact when they have neglected hearing loss. You’ll go out less frequently, talk with the cashier at the supermarket less, and so on. Your brain will often alter the way it processes information as a result.
- Increased risk of dementia: The risk of dementia and other forms of mental decline is greater for individuals who have untreated hearing loss. This risk declines dramatically when the hearing loss is treated and managed.
- Increased risk of depression and anxiety: An increase in anxiety and depression due to untreated hearing loss isn’t unusual according to numerous studies. And once again, when the underlying hearing loss has been managed, the risk factor drops substantially.
All of these concerns are obviously intertwined. Mental health issues, including depression, can be worsened by social isolation. And your risk of dementia also goes up with social solitude.
Does hearing loss cause cognitive decline?
One of the more severe impacts of untreated hearing loss is a pronounced increase in your risk of mental decline and dementia. Scientists have some theories about why this might be, but what’s obvious is that management of symptoms helps considerably. In other words, treating your hearing loss has been shown to reduce mental decline and lower your risk of developing dementia later in life.
How to deal with your forgetfulness (and hearing loss)
The good news is, treating untreated hearing loss, if your forgetfulness is caused by hearing loss, will certainly help. In cases where hearing loss is detected, we may suggest the following:
- The use of hearing aids: You will hear better with the use of a hearing aid. Your social life can be improved and your cognitive abilities will have less strain by using hearing aids. Your risk of dementia, depression, and other possible issues can be decreased and your cognition can be improved by limiting your social isolation.
- Regular screenings: Before any issues start to happen, routine screenings can detect them. Treating your hearing loss early can prevent cognitive strain.
- Hearing protection: Some of the cognitive decline previously mentioned can be avoided and further damage can be reduced by the use of hearing protection.
You don’t need to remain forgetful!
If hearing loss is causing you to be a bit forgetful, it’s important to emphasize that it doesn’t need to stay that way. Once the strain on your brain is alleviated, your mental function, in many cases, will sharpen. When your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to hear, the rest can be very helpful.
Schedule an appointment with us so that we can help you substantially improve your outlook and reduce your risk of other issues.