It's #DementiaAwarenessWeek and yes hearing matters!
Results from the largest randomised, controlled clinical trial of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults, were reported for the first time at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2023, in Amsterdam. Findings from the study, published in the Lancet, showed that for people with a hearing loss & risk factors for dementia, hearing aids demonstrated a staggering 48% slowing of cognitive decline over the 3 year period of the trial. According to the researchers, hearing aids may slow down the decline in thinking and memory by making listening easier for the brain. For all sectors of the population it was found that the hearing intervention improved communication, social functioning and loneliness.
A longer term follow up of the study is currently underway, until we know more, we recommend that older adults have their hearing checked regularly and any hearing issues properly addressed.
The researchers cite hearing loss as present in 65% of adults over age 60.Check out our free hearing screener here https://www.shoeboxonline.com/joyofhearing/?