New research has found that hearing aids may slow down decline in cognitive function. While prior studies have established that a loss in hearing is a risk factor in the development of dementia, it wasn’t clear if managing hearing loss would slow the progression of cognitive decline — until now.
The new study, whose findings were reported in “JAMA Neurology,” provides new evidence demonstrating that hearing loss management could help decrease or even delay a decline in an individual’s cognitive function.
For their study, the researchers examined the link between cognitive decline and hearing loss over different durations by conducting a meta-analysis of 31 studies. The review found that in the short-term, individuals who had experienced hearing loss and used hearing aids performed slightly better on scores testing their cognitive function. The use of these devices was also linked to a 19% decrease in cognitive decline in the long-term, with the researchers noting that preventing progression was crucial when it came to cognitive decline.
One of the senior authors of the study, Dr. Woei Shyang Loh, is the head of otolaryngology at the National University Hospital and National University of Singapore. Dr. Benjamin Tan, the study’s other senior author, stated that it was easier to prevent dementia than to treat it, adding that reversing the disease was even more difficult. He added that patients with hearing loss needed to begin their treatments as soon as possible.
Tan also explained that using hearing aids would also benefit individuals who had already demonstrated a decline in cognitive function, as new research has shown that patients can still benefit even if they didn’t start using these devices in the early stages of hearing loss. He then noted that patients who had experienced mild cognitive impairment had roughly 20% lower chances of this progressing to dementia.
Dr. Thomas Holland, who did not take part in the study, stated that hearing loss was easy to correct, especially in developed nations. Holland added that it was important to get screened for hearing loss, noting that individuals with hearing loss needed to speak to their ENTs or audiologists to help prevent potential cognitive decline and reduce risk of developing dementia. He then observed that implementing healthy lifestyle modifications would also reduce or slow an individual’s risk of developing dementia.
The researchers are now focused on finding out whether hearing loss severity changes the effectiveness of interventions in relation to staving off cognitive decline.
For those already exhibiting advanced symptoms of cognitive decline, wearable tracking devices such as those made by MetAlert Inc. (OTC: MLRT) can help family members quickly identify whether their loved one is straying out of a safe location or needs help.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MetAlert Inc. (OTC: MLRT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MLRT
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