The Link Between Confusion and Hearing Loss

For the whole world, hearing loss is one of the most common health concerns. Hearing loss affects an estimated one-third of adults younger than 60 years old and two-thirds of adults over the age of 70. Cognitive decline is more likely to affect seniors with hearing loss by 30 to 40 percent, according to a Johns Hopkins study.

The link between your ears and brain
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When you listen to someone talk, your brain tries to make sense of the incoming sounds. This process is part of the cognitive load on your brain. Untreated hearing loss stresses the cognitive load because the brain has to work harder to make sense of the sounds.

The most common type of hearing loss is the nerve-type or sensorineural. Incoming signals to the inner ear or auditory nerve get garbled. Even though many people with hearing loss can hear talking, they often can’t understand it.

When the brain strives harder to decode the signals for hearing, other brain processes suffer because their own resources are diminished. In short, the brain is so busy trying to understand what is heard that comprehension and memory start to fail.

Try using hearing aids

Using hearing aids are highly beneficial in improving the quality of life and restoring mental processes. Cognitive decline diminishes, the stress on cognitive load decreases, listening fatigue is relieved, and communication is made easier.  Also, feelings of isolation and depression from not being able to hear and participate in conversations disappear.

Don’t delay

Waiting to get hearing aids only creates more of a struggle and a worsening situation. Getting early treatment of hearing loss makes all the difference in maintaining cognition. Your auditory nerve wrestles more and more to send clear signals to the brain, the longer you wait. So, do yourself a favor and contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids today for a hearing test.

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