Why Hearing Aids Can Improve Your Memory

HEARING TIPS

Woman with hearing loss doing dishes because she forgot to turn the dishwasher on.

Chris has been slightly forgetful lately. She forgot her doctor’s appointment for the second month in a row (now she needs to reschedule again). And she even forgot to run the dishwasher before bedtime (I guess this morning she will need to handwash her coffee cup). Lately, she’s been letting things fall through the cracks. Chris has been feeling mentally fatigued and drained all the time but, strangely, she doesn’t feel forgetful.

It can be hard to put your finger on that feeling until it’s sneaking up on you. But despite how forgetful you may feel, the problem isn’t really about memory. Your hearing is the actual problem. And that means you can considerably improve your memory by using one little device.

How to Improve Your General Cognitive Function And Memory

So, having a hearing test is the first measure to enhance your memory so you will remember that dentist appointment and not forget anyone’s name in the next meeting. A standard hearing assessment will be able to find out if you have hearing loss and how severe any impairment might be.

Chris hesitates, though, because she hasn’t noted any symptoms or signs of hearing loss. She can hear in noisy rooms fairly well enough. And when she’s working, she doesn’t have a problem hearing team members.

But she could have some amount of hearing loss even though she hasn’t noticed any symptoms yet. As a matter of fact, memory loss is frequently one of the very first detectable signs of hearing loss. And it all has to do with brain strain. It works like this:

  • Gradually and almost imperceptibly, your hearing begins to fade.
  • However mild, your ears begin to detect a lack of sound input.
  • Your brain starts working a little bit harder to decipher and amplify the sounds you are able to hear.
  • You can’t notice any real difference but in order to make sense of sound your brain has to work overtime.

Your brain only has so much processing power which can really be dragged down by that type of strain. So things such as cognitive function and memory get pushed to the back.

Hearing Loss And Dementia

If you take loss of memory to its most logical extremes, you may end up looking at something like dementia. And there is a connection between hearing loss and dementia, though there are numerous other factors involved and the cause and effect relationship is still rather murky. Still, those with neglected hearing loss, over time, have a higher risk for having cognitive decline, which can begin as memory loss and ultimately (over the years) become more severe concerns.

Keeping Fatigue at Bay Using Hearing Aids

That’s why dealing with your hearing loss is indispensable. According to one study, 97.3% of people with hearing loss who used hearing aids for at least 18 months showed a noticeable stabilization or improvement in their cognitive functions.

Similar benefits have been seen in a variety of other studies. It’s unquestionably helpful to wear hearing aids. When your brain doesn’t need to work quite as hard, your total cognitive function improves. Sure, a hearing aid isn’t an absolute cure, memory problems and cognitive decline can be a complicated mixture of causes and elements.

The First Symptom of Hearing Loss is Often Memory Loss

This type of memory loss is typically temporary, it’s a sign of mental fatigue more than a fundamental change in how your brain operates. But if the fundamental issues are not dealt with, that can change.

So if you’re observing some loss of memory, it can be an early warning of hearing loss. You should make an appointment with your hearing professional as soon as you recognize these symptoms. As soon as your fundamental hearing issues are addressed, your memory should go back to normal.

And your hearing will most likely improve as well. The decline in your hearing will be slowed significantly by using hearing aids. In this way, your total wellness, not just your memory, could be enhanced by these little devices.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

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