Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States, one in eight people over age 12, and more than 65 percent of individuals over 60 years old, experience hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The impact of hearing loss is not limited to difficulty hearing; it is also linked to other health issues such as cognition, dementia, social isolation, and depression. Maura K. Cosetti, MD, Director of the Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, explains why taking steps to prevent hearing loss can be so important, and how hearing loss can lead to other complications, including a potential decline in your memory and thinking.
“Treatments for hearing loss are very effective at improving the clarity of speech, and recent data has also shown that they improve cognitive function as well,” she said.
Here are five important facts you may not know about hearing loss:
Individuals with hearing loss are at higher risk of dementia
Many studies have shown that hearing loss is associated with dementia. Adults with hearing loss are at a greater risk of dementia than those without hearing loss. Results from many studies, including one published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, found that the risk was related to the amount of hearing loss. Specifically, adults with mild hearing loss were at twice the increased risk, while those with moderate and severe hearing loss were up to three to five times more likely to develop dementia. Overall, moderate to severe hearing loss has been associated with a 60 percent increased risk of developing dementia compared to those without hearing loss. This relationship is believed to be due to the brain’s increased effort to process sounds, which leads to cognitive overload and mental exhaustion.
To book an appointment with Maura K. Cosetti, MD, call 212-979-4200 or 212-241-9410.
Hearing loss can lead to depression and social isolation
Difficulty hearing can significantly impair communication, and those with hearing loss often limit their interactions and relationships with others, leading to isolation and loneliness. Many research studies have shown a close relationship between hearing loss, social isolation, and depression. Hearing loss is based on how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them, as measured in decibels. For every 10 decibel decrease in your ability to hear, the odds of social isolation increase by 52 percent. Many studies have shown that individuals with hearing loss are more likely to experience depression than those without hearing loss.
Hearing loss is not a normal part of aging and should be treated
Age-related hearing loss is common, often gradual, and may not be easily recognized. Signs of hearing loss include:
- Struggling to understand conversations in noisy environments, such as restaurants, parties, or other crowded places.
- Turning up the volume on your phone or television.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Asking people to repeat themselves or thinking others all speak quietly.
- Misunderstanding words or phrases.
Some types of hearing loss can be associated with physical obstruction, such as ear wax or fluid in the ears, and can be easily treated. Other types, such as sensorineural hearing loss that occurs from damage to the inner ear, may benefit from amplification, such as hearing aids. Individuals who are experiencing these symptoms should speak to their doctor and seek evaluation for hearing loss.
If you are a hearing aid user but do not get much benefit from your hearing aids, speak to you doctor about other options that may be available, such as cochlear implants.
Treating hearing loss can improve cognition
Treatments for hearing loss are very effective at improving the clarity of speech, and recent data has also shown that they also improve cognitive function. Both hearing aids and cochlear implants are safe and highly effective treatments for hearing loss—and both have shown to improve cognition. Studies show that older adults who use hearing aids have better cognitive function than those with hearing loss who do not use hearing aids. Numerous studies on adults with more severe hearing loss show that cochlear implantation leads to improved cognitive function, and decreased risk of dementia over time. Data suggests that all treatments for hearing loss, including both hearing aids and cochlear implants, improve social engagement, reduce depression, and significantly improve quality of life.
There are many steps you can take to prevent hearing loss
Prevention is one of the most important things we can do to limit hearing loss. While some factors that contribute to hearing loss, such as genetics and aging, are beyond our control, there are many steps you can take to prevent or reduce the risk of hearing loss.
- Protect your ears from loud noises. Avoid or limit exposure to loud noises, such as concerts, sporting events, and power tools. If you must be in a noisy environment, wear earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce the impact of loud noises on your ears.
- Maintain good ear health. This includes avoiding the use of cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ears, as this can damage the delicate structures inside the ear.
- Seek treatment for any ear infections or other conditions that could affect your hearing. Certain medications, such as some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can cause hearing loss or damage. If you are taking any medications that could affect your hearing, be sure to discuss this with your doctor and take any necessary precautions to protect your ears.
- Stop smoking. Exposure to cigarette smoke, either when you smoke or to second-hand smoke, significantly increases your risk of hearing loss.
- Take care of your general health. Both uncontrolled diabetes and untreated high blood pressure are risk factors for hearing loss. Follow your doctor’s guidance for treatment of these conditions.