Numerous studies have proven that an untreated hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline. There are several reasons for this decline due to hearing loss:
- Cognitive overload. With an untreated hearing loss, the brain is constantly straining to understand the sounds going on around you and interpret speech during conversations. An overworked brain just simply does not work as effectively as it should
- Shrinking brain. Studies have shown that those with an untreated hearing loss have less gray brain matter than those with normal hearing. The brain is actually shrinking due to the lack of stimulation. The old saying of “Use it or lose it” applies here
- Social isolation. Many of those with an untreated hearing loss tend to isolate themselves from social settings and gatherings. They do this because they can not follow along with conversations because they can not understand them fully. The more one isolates himself or herself, the less stimulation their brain receives.
Cognitive decline can occur as a result for a variety of causes and underlying conditions. But, an untreated hearing loss is one of the bigger risk factors for cognitive decline. Fortunately, an untreated hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor.
During the normal aging process, it’s not uncommon to occasionally forget names and misplace things. But, cognitive impairment is not a normal part of aging and is a mark of dementias. Some signs of a mild cognitive impairment include:
- Frequently forgetting conversations, names of close friends, and appointments
- Having trouble coming up with the words they want to use
- Losing focus easily
- Frequently misplacing items
Because an untreated hearing loss is such a great contributing factor to cognitive decline, we feel it is our obligation to provide cognitive screenings to our patients. Often times, cognitive testing is performed when there is already moderate or severe impairment. With our Cognivue cognition screener, patients will go through a series of sub-tests used to measure motor control, visual processing perception and memory. Once completed, patients will learn whether intervention is needed to slow or repair their cognitive health. Screening results can be shared with your primary care physician.
With the roll out of our new service, our patients will now have the option of a cognition screening when seeing their Audiologist for their hearing health. Once a baseline is established, future results can be compared to see the improvement treating a hearing loss has on their cognitive health.
