That loss of hearing can impact your brain has been proven in several studies. (Just look at some of our past blog posts.) Fortunately, it’s also been proven that you can restore some of that cognitive ability through hearing aids.
This is not to say that hearing aids are in some manner going to make you more intelligent. But there’s some compelling research that suggests hearing aids can improve cognitive abilities, lowering your risk for depression, dementia, and anxiety.
Your Brain is in Charge of a Large Portion of Your Hearing
To comprehend the link between cognition and your ears, it’s crucial to know that a substantial portion of your hearing actually takes place in your brain. It’s the brain’s task to convert sound vibrations into perceptible sound information. So as your hearing wanes, the parts of your brain that interpret those sounds suddenly have much less to do.
Alterations in your brain (and hearing), along with other considerations (including social isolation), can trigger the onset of mental health problems. In individuals with untreated hearing loss, it’s not uncommon to observe an increase in the chances of depression, anxiety, and dementia.
Your effectively “treating” your hearing loss when you’re using hearing aids. That means:
- The parts of your brain responsible for hearing will get regular workouts; the more your brain works, the healthier your brain will be.
- You’ll be less likely to isolate yourself socially. Conversations will be easier to understand and follow, so you’ll be more inclined to participate.
- Because you’ll be capable of coupling your hearing aids with routine monitoring and other treatment options, you can help keep your hearing from becoming increasingly worse.
Keeping You on Your Toes
Hearing aids can counter depression, anxiety, and dementia because they enhance your brain and your social life.
- Inner ear health: Inner ear damage is not triggered by loss of hearing alone. But there is frequently a common cause for both loss of hearing and damage to the inner ear. In some cases, a hearing aid is a component of the treatment strategy for loss of hearing which can also help inner ear injury.
- Creating stronger awareness: Occasionally, because you’re not mindful of your environment, you could have a fall. Your situational awareness can be significantly hindered by hearing conditions. Not only can it be difficult to hear sounds, but it can also be challenging to ascertain what direction sounds are coming from. Without treatment, this can end up resulting in injury or a fall.
- Cutting edge technology: Some modern hearing aids, when someone falls, can immediately alert emergency services. This can minimize lasting complications and injuries even though it won’t prevent the fall itself.
The truth is, you’re more likely to avoid a fall when you’re wearing hearing aids. A hearing aid enhances your physical health and your cognitive capability while carrying out the essential functions of keeping you more mindful, more focused, and more dialed in.
Stop Ignoring Your Hearing Aid
We haven’t even yet addressed the fundamental hearing benefits of hearing aids. So it seems like when you consider all of the positive aspects associated with wearing hearing aids, it’s a no brainer. (not something you need to put your thinking cap on for).
The problem is that many people don’t know they have hearing loss. When your hearing goes away slowly, you might have a hard time noticing. That’s the reason why having a routine hearing test is necessary. A wide range of other health concerns can be exacerbated by hearing loss.
The correct hearing aid can, in part, slow the onset of despair and dementia, while decreasing the occasions of some physical injuries. Aside from helping your hearing, hearing aids provide a remarkable number of benefits.