As we get older, the #1 medical condition that literally teriifies people is DEMENTIA - forgetfullness. Research shows that there is a link to Dementia and hearing loss.  Hearing loss can actually aggrevate & speed up change in dementia, making it worse. Making you withdraw & making you confused.

Many people think that dementia begins at 80 years old, but it can show up as early as 50 years old.  More females get dementia than males.

Dementia is confused often with poor hearing. You are confused because you can't hear or understand. It is not complete deafness/ heaing impairment, but partial deafness. People with Demetia when given good, automatic hearing aids, responded better, quicker to family members. They participate in conversations, remember more, smile more, have more contact, have more humor, remember events in the recent past.

So please, if you are worried about your loved one having dementia, get their hearing tested. Don't assume demetia, get hearing evaluated by an Audiologist.

Who takes care of the hearing aids? The caregiver will be responsible for this task. Hearing aids must be cleaned regularly & maitained for longer life. Change filters, top working order, appropriate, help pt. - hear the best that they can to reduce the ravages of dementia.

Studies show that when a person has hearing loss, they are at a greater risk to have dementia. About 500,000 Canadians have dementia. 1 in 11 Canadians over the age of 65 is affected by alzheimers disease or another dementia. Age is a Factor!

1 in 50 between 65 – 74 years old

1 in 9 between 75 – 84 years old

1 in 3 over 85 years old

Hearing aids can’t prevent or cure dementia but it can have a positive impact on the person, as they will be able to hear what is being said to them.  They will be able to interact with family and friends, instead of being left out of the conversation during get social interactions.  They can be part of the conversation, instead of being an outcast. Hearing aids can ward off the negative effects of dementia.

Hearing aids are not a cure and can’t restore normal perfect hearing, but it is a huge improvement. Two hearing aids are definitely better than one.  

Try this simple experiment that you can do at home. Get your Ipod or MP3 player.  Listen to your favourite music with your earbuds or headset.

Notice how rich, full of body and in stereo it sounds. Now, do it again but this time only wear one earbud or headset.  Notice how it feels like you are missing something – well you are.  You may notice you will be straining to hear and feel tired and exhausted.

Our brains need two (2) ears to hear.  It balances us, allows us to localize where sound is coming from, and makes hearing effortless.  It should be a relaxing and pleasurable experience to hear.

 

What is it like to have hearing loss?

You are on your computer right now googling this topic. Try this – go to youtube & pick your favorite music video. Watch & listen to it for 1 minute. It’s great right? Now for the rest of the song MUTE your speakers. How does that feel? Terrible! You miss a lot!

That is what people who have hearing loss live with each & every day. Not only are they the only ones frustrated but anyone who has to deal with them is also affected by their Hearing Loss.