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A joint study between the University of Michigan in the US and the University of Manchester in the UK has striking results regarding the relationship between hearing, vision, and cognitive impairment. For many years, we have known that a relationship exists between cognitive decline and hearing impairment. Those with hearing loss are more likely to encounter cognitive problems such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even worse, those who have dementia are found to have a quicker decline if they have hearing loss at the same time. Yet, it has been unknown what effect treatment might have on that cognitive decline. Although researchers and hearing practitioners have wondered if treating hearing loss might have a preventative effect on cognitive health, but they were unsure if the causal relationship would go in that direction or not.
New Study Linking Hearing, Vision, and Cognitive Abilities
A new study gives us good news: hearing treatment does have a preventative effect on cognitive decline! Simply by wearing hearing aids, cognitive decline was slowed by 75%. The study was a part of the wider Health & Retirement Study at the University of Michigan, which surveyed over 2,000 older Americans. In addition to the survey data, these respondents agreed to have their hearing tested every two years for a total of 18 years. Cognition was also measured during this period with a number of different tests. For instance, respondents were asked to recall 10 words as an aspect of one of the tests. They were asked to repeat back the words, then to perform some small tasks, and then to come back and repeat back the words again. This test was used to determine how well respondents were unable to remember things if they had encountered interruptions, an important dimension of dementia. Indeed the study found that those wearing hearing aids performed 75% better than their counterparts who had untreated hearing loss.
Not only is hearing related to cognitive decline, but vision was found to have a relationship, as well. Although involving different respondents in the research, the same team of researchers engaged in a study of vision impairment and treatment. In this instance 5,000 respondents in their 60s were surveyed. Within this sample 2,068 received cataract surgery, and 3,636 did not have cataracts. For those who received the surgery, cognitive decline slowed over the next 13 years. Although all older people are expected to have cognitive decline of some kind, the link with sensory perception was not known prior to these studies.
What’s the Link?
What remains to be understood is exactly how the connection between hearing loss, vision impairment, and cognitive decline works. In the case of hearing impairment, some have speculated that the problematic link may be explained by the difficulty of understanding speech. Those with hearing loss have to piece together meaning from a random jumble of sounds and syllables. When they hear a person speaking, it does not immediately register as meaningful communication. Perhaps the link with dementia and other forms of cognitive decline is an increased burden on those who cannot understand speech. However, the link with vision is not yet understood. Perhaps those who have to similarly strain their minds to make sense of a blurry world face too much strain on their attention and thinking. We know that minds do best when they are put in practice, and the memory is a muscle that must be exercised to remain efficient. Those with sensory impairments may simply not be exercising the right mental muscles.
Seeking Treatment
With the good news that treatment for vision and hearing loss has such a positive effect on thinking, why not take the opportunity to seek treatment right away? Those of us who are unsure if we have hearing or vision impairments would do well to seek examinations right away. We can’t go down the road to treatment if we don’t know the nature of our impairment. And, those who already sense that they have impairment but have not taken the step to treat their hearing or vision should do so as soon as possible. If treatment such as hearing aids and cataract surgery have such profound effects on the ability to think and remember clearly, we can only imagine what other effects might exist.
Visit Us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic
At New Leaf Hearing Clinic, we provide comprehensive hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. If a hearing loss is detected, our team will work with you to find the perfect solution for your hearing needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.