Is there a connection between dementia and hearing loss?

@bookysue Sounds like you have your head on your shoulders no
pun in ended Good for you I love road trips did alot before I got married

Some say not- thanks. I tried as we should all do- as long as we try we are beyond as expected- we limit ourselves more then we should. I use caution as I should because I am falling more. So it is harder to have that attitude but I am trying to balance things . Life has to be worth it.

@bookysue Yes as long as we are here we need to live life as if it's our last taking precautions as our bodies let us know Happy travels

Hi All,

I was glad to see that this discussion group was already on Connect. I just read a WebMD article this morning on this very topic and was interested in your thinking. Here is a link to that article. Would be interested in your thoughts.
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/hearing-loss-dementia#1

Hi, I have seen this sort of detail about aging and hearing loss for years. Having met people finally convinced to get hearing aids ( age 74) and seeing them so happy to be able to engage better with their families and join in conversation. It's good to see the studies that confirm how important it is to have hearing aids for all who need them. Wish that were enough to convince those die-hards who are possibly ashamed to admit hearing loss and won't get hearing aids. Other information I've seen talks about taking on a new hobby or music to keep the brain active as we age. Thanks for posting!

There is information on this topic on the HLAA website. https://www.hearingloss.org/?s=dementia Studies on this topic indicate there is a connection. Further studies are trying to look at unaided hearing loss vs aided hearing loss through hearing instruments and cochlear implants. Most of the research indicates that isolation and withdrawal are major factors in cognitive decline, whether that is from hearing loss or other issues. We know that people with hearing loss have to concentrate extra hard to participate in spontaneous verbal communication. The fatigue that comes from that often causes the individual to 'tune out'. It's very common for someone who doesn't hear well to appear 'not smart' to others. We respond out of contest, we 'tune out', we don't socialize the way we used to, etc.

Hearing loss is more common with aging, so is cognitive decline. Regardless of the correlation, I believe, very strongly, that it's important for everyone to work hard to keep their brains active by reading, writing, learning new things, playing games, enjoying hobbies, socializing as best we can, and remaining as physically fit as we possibly can.

@teresa, I can tell you that dementia is a big concern of mine. My dad is 90 and he has dementia. Hearing loss is on his fathers side so he was born with hearing loss. That gene was passed to me. I am okay with the hearing loss, probably because I know I'm doing as much as possible to help. My dads dementia has been very difficult to deal with. I wish there was something similar to a hearing aid that could at least help. I exercise my mind regularly in the hope that I outlive the onset of dementia.
Tony in Michigan

Hi Tony - I love reading your writing and all those who opinion on the subject of memory loss/depression/dementia/Alzheimer's etc. This is the new frontier for brain researchers and understanding how our brains function. It's complexity is infinite and will require much time and resources. As the research has shown so far, genes are only a small portion of what they have discovered. Environment, chemicals, exposures, timelines, blood lines, brain-blood barriers, and other unique characters centered around our brains adds targeted challenges for everyone who work in and around this research. The Alzheimer's Association supports research for this as do many different national and international organizations to answer the many questions that all of pose regarding the causes and ways to deal with the aging and diseases of the brain. I am registered and participate in many of these studies with the AA organization. They also have my DNA for future testing. I work hard to use the elasticity of my brain. My German husband keep me busy with using my brain correctly!!! 😉