PAIN IS INEVITABLE.
BUT
SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL.
Recent research has uncovered a startling connection between hearing loss and dementia. Not only has hearing loss been linked to a range of health problems, including dementia, but the latest findings suggest that it may even be a direct cause of the condition.
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In fact, hearing loss is estimated to account for a staggering 8% of all dementia cases.
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Hearing Loss and the Dementia Connection | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health (jhu.edu)
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The risks are clear: untreated hearing loss significantly increases the likelihood of developing dementia.
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Dementia and Hearing Loss - The American Academy of Audiology
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However, there is hope that wearing a hearing aid has been shown to slow or even prevent cognitive decline.
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Hearing loss and dementia: Connection, risk factors, and more (medicalnewstoday.com)
THE RELATIONSHIP
About 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss.
Hearing loss can deplete cognitive reserve during the hearing process, leading to social isolation, apathy, and depression due to impaired communication. Ultimately, this can result in dementia.
TINNITUS
HEARING
LOSS
DEMENTIA
Hearing Loss could be a reason for dementia.
A PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY
WHO (in 2012) declared the prevention and treatment of dementia a public health priority.
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According to a research conducted in 2012, it is estimated that with an ageing population, there would be more than 300,000 dementia patients of 60 years old or above in Hong Kong by 2039.
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LCQ18: Policy on support for dementia patients (info.gov.hk)
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In Japan, according to the health ministry, 4.6 million people are suffering from some form of dementia, with the total expected to soar to about 7.3 million people or one in five Japanese aged 65 or over by 2025.
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Dementia towns': how Japan is evolving for its ageing population | Japan | The Guardian
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According to the RAND Corporation, in 2021, about 6.2 million U.S. adults aged 65 or older lived with dementia.
HEARING LOSS
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the most common type of hearing loss among older adults. It is estimated that by 2050 nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.
Could hearing aids reduce cognitive decline and bring benefits to the life of persons with dementia and their families?
There is evidence to suggest that the use of hearing aids can delay cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk. Hearing loss is associated with higher risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and accelerated cognitive decline. However, hearing aid use is associated with lower risk of MCI and slower cognitive decline.
Treating hearing loss via hearing aids could reduce dementia risk (medicalnewstoday.com)
THE CURRENT SOLUTION
What support is currently available for the hearing impaired?
The current major clinical support for people with a certain degree of hearing loss or blockage is in-ear hearing aids devices. However, over 80% of hearing-impaired people don't want to wear hearing aid devices.
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Cost issues.
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Fit and comfort issues.
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Quality & maintenance issues.
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Appearance & Psycho-Social issues.
An impending social crisis without perfect solution yet !
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