A study published in The
Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, called dementia “the
greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century.” The
study, conducted by The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care,
noted that 50 million people have dementia worldwide — and that the number is
expected to triple by 2050.
The commission’s purpose was to provide
recommendations for prevention and management of dementia. The need is urgent,
it determined, as dementia not only affects the person with dementia, it also
impacts their family and friends.
Be proactive earlier in life to help prevent
dementia later
The commission’s 24 international experts
concluded that one in three cases of dementia could be prevented if people
managed just nine lifestyle factors — one of which is managing hearing loss
during midlife (between age 40-65).
The other eight include increasing childhood
education and exercise, maintaining social engagements, reducing or stopping
smoking, and management of depression, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Dementia typically doesn’t manifest itself with
symptoms until we’re 65+, but the study’s authors note that it likely begins
between ages 40-65. They determined that managing these nine modifiable risk
factors at various stages of life could “contribute to prevention or delay of
dementia.”
The link between dementia and hearing loss
The commission admits science isn’t yet
unanimous on why unmanaged hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia. But
research has confirmed that hearing loss adds to the cognitive load of the
brain, leads to social isolation and depression, and accelerates brain atrophy
— all of which are likely contributing factors.
Now, at least, there’s research that points to
ways we can “reduce the incidence of dementia or substantially delay its onset”
— and nearly all are within our control. This is terrific news for anyone
worried about being affected by this awful condition.
We can help you manage your hearing loss
Hearing loss is definitely something you can
manage with the help of a trained hearing professional. If you have or think
you have hearing loss, this new research gives you a great reason to do
something about it as soon as you can.
Can treating hearing loss help prevent dementia?
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.