Audiology & Hearing Care of SWFL - Bonita Springs, FL

Women with hearing loss laughing on park bench.

Several studies have confirmed that loss of hearing can have an impact on your brain. (Some of our previous blogs clearly demonstrate that.) Hearing Aids, luckily, have been shown to be capable of helping you restore some of that cognitive capacity.

This is not to say that hearing aids are somehow 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.

You Accomplish a Lot of Hearing With Your Brain

It’s important to recognize how significant a part your brain plays in hearing if you are going to comprehend the connection between your ears and cognition. That’s where the vibrations of the world are converted into the sounds of your surroundings. So as your hearing diminishes, the regions of your brain that translate those sounds suddenly have a lot less to do.

Combined with other variables (such as social isolation), the alterations in your brain (and hearing) can lead to the onset of certain mental health problems. In people with neglected hearing loss, it’s not unusual to notice an increase in the chances for anxiety, depression, and dementia.

Your essentially “treating” your hearing loss when you’re using hearing aids. That means:

  • Because you’ll be capable of coupling your hearing aids with regular monitoring and other treatment options, you can help keep your hearing from getting progressively worse.
  • Social isolation will be less likely. Interactions will be easier to understand and follow, so you’ll be more inclined to participate.
  • Your brain stays healthier if it keeps working; your brain will be getting a more regular workout in the parts responsible for hearing.

Staying Attentive

Hearing aids enhance your brain and your social life and can lessen dementia, depression, and anxiety.

  • Modern technology: Some current hearing aids, when a person has a fall, can instantly alert emergency services. This might not prevent the fall to begin with, but it can prevent lasting injuries or complications due to the fall.
  • Creating better awareness: At times, because you aren’t aware of your surroundings, you could have a fall. Your situational awareness can be seriously hampered by hearing conditions. Not only can it be challenging to hear sounds, but it can also be a challenge to determine which direction sounds are originating from. Without treatment, this can wind up leading to a fall or injury.
  • The health of your inner ear: Inner ear injury is not brought on by loss of hearing alone. But there is normally a common cause for both loss of hearing and damage to the inner ear. So treating the one can help you treat the other, and in many circumstances, a hearing aid is a part of that treatment routine.

Actually, you’re more likely to avoid a fall when you’re wearing hearing aids. A hearing aid keeps you more alert, more aware, and more connected, improving cognitive abilities and general health at the same time.

Stop Ignoring Your Hearing Aid

None of this has even yet dealt with the basic hearing benefits of hearing aids. So when you take into consideration that amplified hearing, factor in the mental health benefits and physical well-being, it seems like wearing these devices would be an easy choice (Pretty obvious).

The problem is that many people don’t know they have hearing loss. When your hearing disappears slowly, you may have a hard time noticing. That’s the reason why it’s critical to get your hearing tested regularly. A wide range of other health problems can be made worse by loss of hearing.

Hearing aids will reduce the possibility of physical damage while helping to slow dementia and depression. That’s an impressive combination of advantages that hearing aids offer, and they also help your hearing.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.