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Everyone knows we use our ears to hear, but it’s less common to consider the aspects of hearing which require cognitive function. In truth, the process of hearing is not complete until sounds reach our brain. Most cases of hearing loss – nearly 90 percent—are sensorineural. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to tiny hairlike cells within the inner ear, which transform sounds from audio waves into electrical impulses which can be interpreted and processed by the brain. This damage, often caused by factors such as exposure to loud sound, certain medications, long term health conditions or even advanced age, can interrupt some sounds tones and pitches from reaching the brain. When this happens, it can not only make it hard to hear the people and world around you but can have a serious impact on our cognitive health.
Hearing and Neuroplasticity
When we are young, our brain is often in peak form, allowing high levels of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reform, reorganize and learn new information. However, as we age, and hearing loss sets in, this can have damaging effects for cognitive health. Hearing loss limits the full range of tones and pitches our brain can receive, leaving some cells which were previously devoted to decoding these sounds to be rerouted to other functions. They may be reassigned to other sensory areas, such as touch or vision. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that neuroplasticity may contribute to faster instances of cognitive decline. In their study they found that participants over 70 with a normal hearing range experienced approximately 11 years to experience cognitive impairment. Meanwhile, those with some degree of hearing loss developed cognitive decline within an average of eight years!
Hearing Loss and a Heightened Risk of Dementia
When you live with untreated hearing loss, it not only increases your risk of cognitive decline, but also increases your risk of dementia. Dementia is a grouping of neurodegenerative diseases which includes the impairment of two or more cognitive functions such as reasoning, memory, or the ability to carry out everyday tasks. In a study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health data including 2,400 adults over the age of 65, researchers found that the more severe the hearing loss from mild to severe, the higher the risk of developing dementia. While the rates of people with hearing loss showed a 61 percent increased risk, the study found that with the use of hearing aids, the risk was reduced to only 31 percent!
Even a Mild Hearing Loss Can Cause Cognitive Decline
Many people think that a mild hearing loss is nothing to be concerned about. However, research has found that even a mild hearing loss may stress your cognitive reserve. A recent overview on the impact of hearing loss on cognitive decline, combined the results of two large studies, adding up to a test group of 6,451 participants from the Hispanic Community Health Survey and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. By combining data around cognitive decline and hearing loss to the strict definition of 15 decibels of impairment, (the normal threshold considered for hearing loss is -25 dBA for a mild impairment) they found that even a loss this slightly impacted cognitive function on standard cognitive testing.
Hearing Loss and Mental Health
Our hearing loss not only impacts how we process sound on a cognitive level, but often it is the emotional impacts due to untreated hearing loss which impacts our cognitive health. We as humans are social creatures who rely on human connection to keep our brain sharp and engaged. Hearing loss makes social interaction increasingly challenging, as it becomes difficult to connect to the people in our lives. A party, dinner date, job or class which has the potential to be enriching instead becomes frustrating and exhausting as we increasingly struggle to hear. We may choose to avoid social interaction as it becomes a source of stress, leading to social isolation and loneliness. Loneliness is a major factor increasing the risk of hearing loss as we age. However, with the use of hearing aids, studies have shown increased social interaction, improving mental and cognitive health.
The Sooner You Treat Hearing Loss the Better
While hearing loss is an irreversible condition, hearing aids can help improve comprehension, mental health, increase socialization and cognitive health. To find out more, take the first step and schedule a hearing exam with us today.