As we age, the world gradually begins to look and feel a little different. Our vision may not be as clear as it once was, and we may have to press the “volume up” button on the remote a few more times to hear the television.
Most people will experience some degree of age-related hearing loss, which generally becomes more apparent after age 60, Dr. Stephanie Rogers, professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, tells TODAY.com.
However, hearing problems can start even earlier in life. And leaving them unanswered can have serious consequences on the brain, increasing the risk of cognitive decline, Rogers says.
Longevity Tip of the Day: Treat Hearing Loss to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Dementia
Untreated hearing loss is the number one modifiable risk factor for dementia, Rogers says.
Modifiable risk factors are behaviors or exposures that can influence our risk of developing disease. Unlike non-modifiable risk factors, like our genetics, these can be modified.
Hearing loss usually begins subtly in early adulthood and slowly increases over decades. “Damage from loud noise can start to occur in the teens and 20s,” says Rogers.
If you experience any noticeable hearing changes or problems during your 40s, it’s time to get checked out.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, people who develop hearing loss between the ages of 40 and 65 may have a higher risk of developing dementia.
Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that affect memory, speech and social skills. This affects at least 7 million Americans.
Why it matters
Hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia in several ways, says Rogers.
First, it places a huge cognitive load on the brain.
“When you can’t hear as well, the brain expends a lot of energy trying to decode speech. This depletes the reserve available for other cognitive tasks, like encoding memories or consolidating memory,” Rogers explains.
Reduced auditory input can also cause parts of the brain to atrophy or weaken because they’re no longer used as much, Rogers says. Sensory deprivation can also reduce neuroplasticity, or our brain’s ability to adapt and reconnect.
Finally, hearing loss can contribute to social isolation, which is another major risk factor for dementia.
“Many people who have poor hearing begin to stop participating in conversations or social situations,” says Rogers. This can cause an otherwise outgoing and bubbly person to become more withdrawn.
Fortunately, hearing loss can be treated to help reduce the risk of dementia, Rogers says.
How to get started
First of all, it is important to recognize the symptoms of hearing loss.
“Usually the first sign is difficulty understanding speech when there is background noise, for example in a restaurant,” says Rogers.
Sounds may become muffled, you may find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, or having to turn up the volume on the radio or television, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you experience any of these problems, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a specialist for more in-depth testing.
“I use the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery guidelines for screening for hearing loss,” says Rogers.
“Everyone should be screened, whether or not you notice hearing loss, at age 50, then every three to five years until age 65, then every one to three years after age 65,” adds Rogers.
Hearing aids are a first-line treatment for age-related hearing loss.
“There are over-the-counter versions for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss, which can help the majority of people. There are also prescription hearing aids for more severe hearing loss,” adds Rogers.
In addition to combating hearing loss, Rogers recommends other lifestyle habits to promote brain and heart health, which can reduce the risk of dementia.
“Things like controlling cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure… not smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, as well as exercising regularly are also important.”
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