Know Alzheimer’s Disease: Treat Hearing Loss in September during World Alzheimer’s Month 

This September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign led by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) to raise awareness, fight the stigma and advocate for the needs of individuals and families affected by this serious brain disease. Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about 5.7 million Americans live with the disease with an additional 10 million cases reported annually. Alarmingly there is no current cure for this neurodegenerative brain disease, but research is showing promising medical and lifestyle choices, which could prevent or delay symptoms. One potential factor, very important to us, is hearing loss.

How does Alzheimer’s Work?

Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80% of all cases of dementia reported. It occurs as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles affect brain tissues and brain cells, causing them to become damaged or destroyed. This impedes brain cell ability to communicate with one another which can cause symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Symptoms include memory loss, which becomes worse as the disease progresses. It is common for people to become easily confused, socially overwhelmed and lose motor skills needed to complete daily tasks, at the height of the condition. Ultimately this condition affects a person’s quality of life and is incredibly difficult for friends and family who struggle to connect to their loved ones.

Alzheimer’s Effect on Caregivers

When your family member starts to experience the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and receives a diagnosis, it is difficult to know what to do next. Psychologists often refer to the families and caregivers of those with memory loss as the ‘invisible second patients’. The devastating effects of Alzheimer’s can affect the entire family, creating emotional and even economic burden as Alzheimer’s patients require expensive around-the-clock care. Studies have found that primary caregivers can become physically and emotionally overburdened and experience high rates of physical illness, social isolation, and emotional distress themselves. It is important to do what you can ahead of time to delay or prevent the condition from affecting your loved ones and yourself.

Improve your lifestyle for Alzheimer’s prevention

While not confirmed, healthy lifestyle habits may help ward off Alzheimer’s. For instance, regular cardiovascular exercise, for 30 minutes or more each day can improve heart health and help prevent dementia and hypertension which can speed up damage to brain cells, causing dementia. In addition, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish and poultry can improve heart health and prevent brain damage. Most importantly, make sure to get tons of sleep so your brain can regenerate from busy days.

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment

Hearing is an important way to understand the world around you. In fact, hearing loss, which is prominent in one in three people 65 and older, has been identified as a major risk factor for the likelihood of developing dementia. In a study that tracked 639 adults over 12 years, Johns Hopkins expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph. D, found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. As hearing loss became more severe, the research found that a moderate loss tripled the risk, while those with a severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.

The loss of hearing abilities on cognitive functioning occurs as parts of words or sentences during conversation become more and more difficult to perceive. While hearing loss begins with damage to the inner ear, it impedes the ability for these sounds to be processed by the brain. This leaves the brain struggling to fill in the blanks in conversation as well as less aware of the surrounding environment. 

Confusing Alzheimer’s and Hearing Loss

This is where it becomes difficult to know what is causing symptoms in hearing loss and dementia, because the symptoms are so similar. Those with hearing loss may often seem confused or disconnected from conversation. They absolutely may appear confused in their environment as they are less aware. As you or a loved one reach the age of 65, we recommend biannual hearing tests. Identifying and treating a hearing loss early can help a person connect better to the world around them, allowing them to be more social, more active, and more engaged in the life they love.

Treat Your Hearing Loss This September

If you do find that you have a hearing loss, you have a chance to treat it and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease now! The first step, however, is to schedule a hearing test. Let World Alzheimer’s Month inspire you to contact us to schedule a hearing test today!