September is World Alzeimer’s Month
Dementia and hearing loss – a recognised link
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, making it the ideal time to remind you that the latest respected research from the Lancet Commission continues to highlight the link between unmanaged hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia.
It was 2017 when the original Lancet Commission report focused on nine risk factors for dementia. While these ranged from smoking and obesity to physical inactivity, our attention was obviously drawn to ‘hearing impairment’ – here was confirmation that looking after your hearing health in middle age could reduce your risk of cognitive decline in later life.
New study. Same message
Three years down the line, an updated study by the same Lancet Commission team, continues to support hearing loss as a risk factor for developing dementia. The study even adds three more risk factors to the original nine, including stopping smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
The respected authors of the new report make a number of recommendations, including “encouraging the use of hearing aids to reduce the excess risk from hearing loss… and reducing hearing loss by protecting ears from excessive noise exposure”.
Commenting on the latest findings, our own Bridgitte Harley, from The Hearing Clinic, says, “The latest Lancet Commission study highlights how vital it is to look after your hearing, wearing ear protection if you’re exposed to loud noise at work or play. If you suspect you have a hearing loss, using hearing aids will help to restore your hearing health, and support your long term mental health and wellbeing.”
Did you know?
- The number of people in the UK living with dementia is like to be 2 million by 2051.
- The number of people affected worldwide is likely to be 131 million by 2050.
- Dementia costs the UK economy an estimated £23bn a year.
- ONE IN 6 PEOPLE HAS HEARING LOSS!
Talk to The Hearing Clinic
Whether you’re looking for hearing protection, or if you’re worried you may already have a hearing loss, we can help. Our friendly and professional team at The Hearing Clinic will help you find the right hearing protection for you. If you’re concerned about hearing loss, we’ll do a thorough hearing assessment and work with you to make a plan to return you to hearing health using the latest hearing aid technology and our tried and test Aural Rehab Programme.
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