Dementia and hearing aids

@4goakley I must admit that I don’t know much about dementia and hearing aides, so I’m going to ask our hearing aide expert, @julieo4, if she can help. I’m sorry that I’m passing you off, but Julie is so much more knowledgeable than I! And let’s hope some experienced members will soon have answers for you

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk This link will take you to some information about hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Recent research studies have shown that untreated hearing loss is sometimes associated with cognitive decline. There are a lot of questions related to this topic, including one that asks whether this relates to 'untreated' hearing loss or hearing loss in general.

Hearing loss makes it difficult for people to understand conversation, especially in social settings where there is background noise. Sometimes that leads to withdrawal from social settings one always enjoyed. Responding out of context in conversation is embarrassing (and common with hearing loss). That can appear as if a person cannot think clearly. That can also lead to isolation, loneliness and even depression.

I encourage your husband to get hearing aids.

Has his hearing loss been diagnosed by a qualified audiologist?

Thank you, Julie, for this helpful information. ( I did find out that the study referenced was retracted in the UK in December 2023 )
I do think hearing aids will be beneficial for cognition. I had noticed my husband’s withdrawal in social settings.
Yes….we went to a professional audiologist and have an appointment to go back for fitting next week.

If you can- I highly recommend the Phonak brand. My husband has dementia- the Phonaks are charged overnight in a charger (my husband had alot of trouble changing the little batteries and with the sudden loss of hearing when the batteries ran out). The Phonaks are marked with a red dot for the right, blue for the left (my husband says "red right returning" to himself to get which is which). The audiologist can set the volume so he can't change it (my husband kept fiddling with the first aids and would turn the volume way down or way up and complain). Phonak has a cell phone app (I put it on my cell and adjust the aids- the TV one directs the aids forward, the restaurant one diminishes background noise, I turn up the clarity one and the volume when with the grandkids.
They are expensive, $4500 BUT they are a game-changer. My husband gets his free from the VA, he has a 10% disability which I think made him eligible, but if your husband is a veteran, no harm in asking. I got them for myself after seeing how wonderful they are. It's tempting to go to Costco or a hearing aid business, but these are worth their weight in gold, maybe family can pitch in. Also, much better to go to an audiologist in with a medical practise.

I've written a longer post about Phonak aids, but forgot to add this- with the regular aids, my husband complained alot that he felt his hearing was like his head "was in a bucket" and he didn't want to wear them. The Phonaks have a different system- small ends to the wires which small "bells" fit over. He says he hears "great".

I was noticing the same concern of isolation with my husband who has mild to moderate dementia. We got him over the ear/in ear aides and he complains they are too loud, give him trouble fitting with his glasses on, and every excuse imaginable not to wear them. We got them from an audiologist but she apparently was not the most experienced with dementia patients. We are trying to get VA disability rating now and going to VA for new aides will be helpful..thank you for your advise!

After years of joking that his best friend refused to use his hearing aids, guess what? My beloved has refused to wear two styles: one from a reputable local business and one from the audiology department of a nearby college. They sit in the draw and gather dust. Also, he was subsequently tested by a VA audiologist who verified he does not hear properly. He now receives a small benefit because he was exposed to loud noises during his service in the Air Force. Sometimes, all you can do is follow through with all the suggestions and then accept you did your best. I don't mean to be a downer, but some of this is in the power of fickle gods who, I think, get a joke out of our attempts to control something that is uncontrollable. That being said, I know a man who wears a headset for TV viewing to enjoy programs with his family. Our loved one's receptiveness to the new and the strange will be part of whether there is success or not.
GloRo

@julieo4, you and others in this discussion might be interested in this related news article that was just published on Mayo Clinic's News Network

- Can cochlear implants slow dementia in older adults? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-cochlear-implants-slow-dementia-in-older-adults/

EXCERPT:
"Recent studies have shown a strong link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, with severe hearing loss increasing the risk of cognitive decline by up to fivefold. Dr. Nicholas Deep, a Mayo Clinic ear and skull base surgeon who specializes in hearing disorders, explains the impact cochlear implants have on patients at high risk for dementia."

My husband has dementia and severe hearing loss. After 5 years he finally had his hearing rechecked, 70% hearing loss. He replaced his old Phonak aids with new Phonak. I felt like a huge weight was lifted on the drive home, we could speak and understand each other without me yelling. We can visit people and he can participate in the conversation. Phonak hearing aids last a long time, his are over the ear. He also has anxiety and it's pretty bad. We are working with our Dr. to try to find a medication that he can tolerate for that. I follow this group daiy and have for some time. I also participate in a local dementia caregiver group sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association. I recommend everyone in this position do the same, in person, or on line. My heart goes out to everyone in this position and their loved one.

My husband has needed hearing aids for a while, he has had trouble hearing me for years. That may be selective hearing, but we probably will never know. We purchased Jabra brand online, which I was very skeptical about. So far no complaints, their support staff is awesome and always available for us. When he wears them I feel like he is more involved in conversations, with me and others as well.