Dementia and hearing loss. Is there a connection?

Researchers at John Hopkins believe there could be. Although hearing loss does not directly cause Alzheimer’s there are links between the two.

Cognitive load

One possible reason for the link between the two is cognitive load. Loss of hearing means that other parts of the brain work harder to compensate. This means there is less energy left to work on other aspects such as memory.

Isolation

Social isolation is another possible factor linking dementia and hearing loss. Being unable to hear can mean missing out on conversations and experiences. This, in turn, can impact mental health and lead to isolation.

This research suggests that acting on hearing loss could reduce the risk of dementia or the severity of it. This is not to say that everyone with hearing loss will eventually develop dementia. However, if we can do our part to keep our loved ones engaged then we may be able to help reduce the risk of memory loss.

Living with both

As hearing loss and dementia have similar symptoms living with both is very difficult. Both make it more difficult to communicate. They also increase social isolation and impact independence. This can make an individual’s dementia seem much worse.

Coping with dementia and hearing loss

• Regular hearing tests – It’s important to continue to monitor hearing loss. The help of a hearing aid may be of benefit to combat social isolation.
• Environmental factors – Reducing background noise and ensuring the area is well lit can improve communication.
• Improving communication – Finding out how the individual likes to communicate – such as lip reading.
• Visual clues and prompts.

Hearing aids will not be the right solution for everyone with dementia as they can be difficult to get used to. Seeking advice from an audiologist can help to make the right choice.

https://www.alzheimers.net/the-connection-between-alzheimers-and-hearing-loss/

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/sight-hearing-loss 

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A recent Japanese study has shown that hearing impairment is more prevalent in people who smoke. The study involved almost 50,000 Japanese workers between the ages of 20 and 64 who started the study with no hearing loss. A follow-up after eight years revealed more than 10% of the workers had developed hearing loss, and of that 10%, the smokers of the group were 60% more likely to have a hearing loss than the non-smokers.

It was also found that the percentage rose with the number of cigarettes smoked. When more than 20 a day were smoked, the rate of hearing loss rose to 70%!

“The more one smokes, the higher the risk of hearing loss,” said lead study author Huanhuan Hu of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo.

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This condition is known as ‘Cochlear Synaptopathy’ and sufferers would present with normal hearing test results but really struggle to hear complex sounds such as speech, especially in noisy environments.

Additionally, it is thought that noise exposure from a loud event such as a rock concert could cause this permanent neural damage. Previously such an event led to what was assumed to be a temporary threshold shift where the hearing would return to normal within a day or two. Noise induced cochlear synaptopathy has been confirmed in mice but the evidence of it occurring in humans is still being investigated. If confirmed it could have an impact on how hearing aids are programmed and fitted.

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