Is it hearing loss or memory loss?

We’ve known for a long time that the symptoms of hearing loss and the symptoms of dementia are very similar but now we know there is a link. Years of having to work hard to hear can take its toll on your brain.

Did you know treating hearing loss is the #1 modifiable risk factor for preventing dementia? We have been able to treat hearing loss effectively for many years, but how do you know if you have any signs of dementia or cognitive decline?

That’s why, in each of our seven clinics, we are proud to introduce Cognivue cognitive screenings to measure 5 areas of cognitive performance. These results can help us to determine your cognitive health and ensure your hearing correction is the best it can be. We can even monitor your cognition over time.

We've complied the research for you!

Ellyn Kuehne, our Boulder Doctor of Audiology, has put together the key points from a dozen different studies so you can get the facts you need to make decisions about your health. She breaks down several research pieces presenting the connection between cognitive decline and hearing loss as well as how hearing devices can improve cognitive function.

Don’t be like the ostrich that buries his head in the sand to elude a problem. Take control of your brain health and improve your quality of life

If you are currently treating your hearing loss with hearing devices that are five years or older, you may be happy with how you are hearing – however, are you actually hearing how you should be? Many patients like to compare how they hear with their hearing devices to how they hear without their hearing devices. Sure, of course you hear better than without! However, in many cases, there is this large imaginary cloud of what you could be hearing. It’s very possible that with newer technology the hearing cloud expands. When those hearing devices were recommended, they were probably the best recommendation we could offer and now with newer technology, we are accomplishing what we never thought would be possible.

The Connection Between Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss:

Individuals with untreated hearing loss demonstrate a 30% to 40% accelerated rate of cognitive decline during a 6 year period compared to those with normal hearing.

With hearing loss, the brain recruits the use of multiple neural networks it normally would not use to simply listen. This is called brain reorganization and is a strong contributor to cognitive decline.

Untreated hearing loss may result in long-term auditory deprivation or degraded auditory input, resulting in increased cognitive decline.

Patients at risk for cognitive decline perform worse in noisy conditions, this is called auditory frailty. Auditory frailty is defined as a deficit in the ability to process auditory information. This deficit is increased with hearing loss.

How Hearing Aids Can Improve Cognitive Decline:

After 18 months of hearing aid use patients show a significant improvement in executive function. This is the ability to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.

Evidence shows that treating hearing loss with a hearing device can reverse brain reorganization, a large contributing factor of cognitive decline.

Treating hearing loss makes a significant contribution to reducing the burden associated with cognitive decline and reduced quality of life.

Treating your hearing loss is no longer only to correct our ability to communicate. Treating hearing loss keeps our brain stimulated and healthy. It allows our brain to function normally keeping our memory, executive function, and cognitive load performing as they should be.

References:
Castiglione, A., Casa, M., Gallo, S. (2019). Correspondence Between Cognitive and Audiological Evaluations among the Elderly. Neuroscience.
Dawes, P., Emsley, R., Cruickshanks, K., et al. (2015). Hearing Loss and the Role of Hearing Aids, Social Isolation, and Depression. PLOS ONE.
Kricos, P. (2006). Audiologic Management of Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Compromised Cognitive/Psychoacoustic Auditory Process Capabilities. Trends in Amplification.
Lin, F., Yaffe, K., & Xia, J. (2013). Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in older Adults. JAMA Intern Med.
Sarant, J., Harris, D., Busby, P., Maruff, P., et al. (2020). The Effect of Hearing Aid Use on Cognition in Older Adults. J. Clin. Med.
Sharma, A., & Cardon, G. (2018). Somatosensory Cross-Modal Reorganization in Adults with Age-Related, Early-Stage Hearing Loss. Front. Hum. Neurosci.Sheng, J., Anderson, M., Arehart, K., Souza, P. (2016). Using cognitive screening tests in audiology. American Journal of Audiology.

We now offer a cognitive screening that can measure your current cognitive performance while you are in the office. This is not an IQ test or list of questions, rather a simple, automated assessment that takes about eight to ten minutes to complete.

Cognivue Thrive evaluates three cognitive domains: memory, visuospatial, and executive function. Cognivue Thrive also measures two speed performance parameters: reaction time and speed processing. These domains and parameters are key to overall performance at any age.

The results can help us determine your cognitive health and ensure your hearing correction solutions are right for you.

"I was really pleased to see that you have introduced cognitive screenings. My husband and I are approaching our 70's and our cognition is important to us, especially as we look at our wills and our executorship. We both have indicators of potential dementia due to family histories as well. It hit home when we decided to look at our wills. It is hard for people to release independence or see their own limitations, so to have some sort of tracking of our cognition, for ourselves and for our family, is very valuable."

Sally - Boulder patient