Everyone does it and there is nothing we can do to stop it. It is simply a natural part of life. So how can we say that something as inevitable as aging can be done more or less successfully? Growing older while enjoying a high quality of life and maintaining our health and cognition seems successful. That’s fair, maybe even obvious. What’s less obvious is the connection successful aging has with good hearing.
We have commented before on the link between hearing loss and conditions like depression, social isolation and even dementia. Since some 30% of people over the age of 65 and up to 90% of people over the age of 85 suffer from some form of hearing loss, it stands to reason that your hearing has a direct bearing on your ability to age successfully.
In late 2015, good news came from a study by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research that found a similar relationship between hearing aids and quality of life. The study examined three groups of people in the same age group: those without hearing loss, those with hearing loss employing hearing aids, and those with unaided hearing loss. In line with previous studies, the group with unaided hearing loss had significantly greater instances of cognitive decline. The good news, however, is that the group employing hearing aids experienced instances of cognitive decline at the same level as the group without any hearing loss at all.
What’s the meaning behind these findings? Evidence is mounting that hearing aids reduce the severity of cognitive decline in elderly individuals with hearing loss. In other words, hearing aids have a real and positive effect on cognitive function over time by restoring the ability to communicate effectively, promoting social and leisure activities, and maintaining quality of life. It can be said with confidence that proactive and quality treatment of hearing loss is a key ingredient to successful aging.
Schneiker Audiology is dedicated providing exactly the kind of care that is proving more and more important to the overall health and wellness of our patients. If you or a loved one could be experiencing the early signs of hearing loss, don’t wait! Call us today for a consultation.