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Untreated Hearing Loss and Dementia

Untreated Hearing Loss and Dementia: How are They Connected?

Actively maintaining your health becomes increasingly important as you age, and that includes maintaining your brain health. As you get older, your risk for developing conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increases. In addition to age itself, hearing loss is also associated with an increased risk in developing dementia.

Let’s take a closer look at the connection between hearing loss and dementia:

Hearing Loss Strains Your Brain

When you experience hearing loss, it may put extra stress on your brain. The brain has to work harder to understand and memorize details during conversations and presentations. This added stress may increase your risk of dementia.

Hearing Loss Leads to Isolation

Hearing loss can often lead to someone withdrawing from social situations and interactions with loved ones. The isolation and lack of stimulation can not only lead to depression, but it might also decrease activity in your brain and contribute to your risk of dementia.

Hearing Loss Accelerates Atrophy

It’s natural for your brain to atrophy, or shrink, to a certain extent as you age. It’s possible that hearing loss can accelerate and potentially exacerbate the extent to which your brain atrophies.

Signs of Hearing Loss

It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of hearing loss so you can consider treatment as soon as possible. Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in public
  • Trouble recalling details from conversation
  • Asking people to repeat themselves
  • Turning up the volume on the television

The symptoms of hearing loss can be uncomfortable and should be discussed with the hearing healthcare professionals at Revolution Hearing once you notice them.

Reducing Your Risk for Dementia

While you cannot control risk factors like age and genetics, you can take steps to limit other risk factors for dementia. Here are some actions you can take:

  • Avoid activities like smoking and excessive drinking
  • Treat any common comorbidities of dementia you may have such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes
  • Participate in regular physical activities
  • Keep your brain stimulated with intellectual activities

Having your hearing checked and potentially treating existing hearing loss is also a critical step to help you to lower your risk. Studies have shown that using hearing aids to treat hearing loss might reduce your risk of developing dementia in your lifetime.

Revolution Hearing is proud to provide hearing healthcare services to Virginia, Indiana, and Ohio. If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss, contact our office today to discuss how we can help you hear better.

Our Provider

John Paul Schaeffer, HIS

Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist | Veteran | Medical Professional

John Paul Schaeffer is a dedicated Hearing Instrument Specialist and veteran with a diverse background in emergency medicine, military service, and healthcare. His career has focused on improving patient care through a combination of medical expertise and advanced hearing healthcare.
 
John’s journey began at 14 as a volunteer firefighter, and by 16, he was an EMT with the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad. At 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving with the 2nd Marine Division and providing battlefield medicine during two tours in Iraq. He balanced this with earning an associate degree and later worked in emergency medicine and medical transport.
 
Transitioning into hearing healthcare, John managed Miracle-Ear clinics across Virginia and the Carolinas before co-founding a private clinic. His commitment to patient care and innovative approaches led to the growth of community outreach programs and mobile clinics for underserved populations.
 
Currently with Revolution Hearing, John continues to provide personalized hearing solutions, dedicated to improving the lives of his patients.

Our Provider

Megan Zablan, HIS

Hearing Instrument Specialist

Megan has spent the past 25 years in Virginia Beach, where she developed her passion for the hearing aid industry, inspired by her mother, a dedicated hearing aid specialist. With 10 years of experience, Megan is committed to providing personalized care and building strong, lasting relationships with each client. She takes the time to understand their unique hearing needs and deliver the highest level of service. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Chewie and Adobo, playing board games, and staying active with pickleball. Her mission is simple: to help people hear better and improve their quality of life. Megan is dedicated to making sure every client receives the best possible care on their hearing journey.