Hearing Loss May Contribute to Social Isolation, Depression and Dementia

According to the Medical News Today website, studies find hearing loss may contribute to social isolation, lower quality of life, disability, depression, and dementia. This can be especially problematic for people aged 80 years and older, who tend to have more advanced hearing losses.

In 2015, researchers reported on a 25-year study, which focused on a link between hearing loss and dementia. At the start of the study, the 3,670 participants were 65 years or older and followed for over 25 years. Using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to measure cognitive decline, researchers say there appeared to be a correlation between self-reported hearing loss and cognitive decline. However, participants who used hearing aids did not show a significant cognitive decline, suggesting the use of hearing aids may offer a protective effect.

Experts say hearing loss may adversely impact a person’s ability to socialize as they miss out on vital verbal and emotional information that may directly impair brain structure and function. Or it could be that the person uses more energy to make sense of what they hear; and reduces the energy they have left for memory, language processing and attention.

It is recommended at age 60, all adults get a baseline hearing test and be rechecked every couple of years, regardless of whether they experience symptoms. John Hopkins Medicine reports one in 3 adults over age 65 has hearing loss, but due to a gradual change in their hearing, they may not be aware of it.

Symptoms of age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, include the speech of others sounding muffled or slurred; high-pitched sounds, such as "s" or "th" being hard to distinguish; and having difficulty understanding conversation, especially if there is background noise. The person may notice men’s voices are easier to hear than women’s, because it is lower-pitched.

At MorningStar at River Oaks, our goal is to provide the finest senior living in Houston, which includes specialized care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood caters to our most tender residents with purposeful activities, trained caregivers, food service, and security. Visit our website for more information about our loving home, our team and our company’s approach to care.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Houston offers.

Source: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/presbycusis

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