12 Feb Hearing loss and dementia: therapy prevents cognitive impairment

An undetected hearing loss can not only impair communication, but can also have a serious impact on cognitive abilities.

Below we explain why there is a clear link between untreated hearing loss and an increased risk of developing dementia - and what treatment options modern medicine can offer you.

What is hearing loss?

One Hearing loss refers to the impairment of hearing. This reduction can take different forms and ranges from slight difficulties in hearing soft sounds to complete deafness. Hearing loss can affect one ear or both ears and can affect different frequencies in the hearing range. There are different Causeswhich can reduce hearing ability:

Age

In old age, there are often degenerative changes in the Inner earwhich can cause hearing loss. The number of hair cells located there can decrease. As a result, the remaining cells are often no longer able to fulfil their task of converting sound waves into electrical signals, which are perceived by the brain as sounds. Another factor that can be linked to age is circulatory disorders in the inner ear. This can impair the oxygen supply to the auditory sensory cells. With increasing age, correct nerve conduction in the auditory system can also deteriorate. This can disrupt the transmission of sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. Finally, there are also signs of wear and tear: Over time, the tissue in the ear canal and the eardrum can wear away, which can lead to impaired sound insulation and sound transmission.

Noise exposure

Long-term exposure to loud noises, whether at work, when listening to music through headphones or during certain leisure activities, can also damage hearing.

Diseases and infections

Infections such as middle ear infections or diseases such as mumps, measles or the Meniere's disease can have a negative effect on hearing.

Injuries

Skull fractures or other injuries to the head can affect the inner ear and cause hearing loss.

Genetic predisposition

Sometimes hearing loss is also genetic and is passed on from parents to their children.

Side effects of medication

Some medicines can cause hearing damage as a side effect. These include diuretics and some antibiotics, for example.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause a progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory functions. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, problems with thinking, orientation, language, planning and carrying out tasks and emotional control. The effects of dementia can severely impair daily life and make self-care considerably more difficult.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. However, there are also other variants such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Sometimes the transitions are fluid, resulting in a mixture of the different forms.

Dementia is a progressive disease. This means that the symptoms usually worsen over time. The exact cause of dementia is often complex. However, age, genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors and other medical conditions can play a role.

There is currently no cure for dementia. However, treatments and therapies can help to alleviate the symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of those affected. Early detection and holistic care are crucial for effective management of the disease.

Hearing loss and dementia: How is impaired hearing related to the degenerative disease of the brain?

Hearing loss and dementia have a complex relationship that can manifest itself as follows:

Communication difficulties

People with untreated hearing loss often have difficulty understanding sounds and following conversations. This can lead to social isolation and increase the risk of dementia. This is because social interaction and cognitive stimulation are important for brain health.

Overloading the brain

People with hearing loss often have to work harder to follow conversations because they can no longer understand what is being said as well. This is accompanied by increased cognitive strain. This constant stress can overload the brain and increase the risk of developing dementia.

Changes in the brain structure

Untreated hearing loss can cause changes in brain structure - particularly in areas associated with language processing and cognitive function. These changes can also promote dementia.

Limitation of the cognitive reserve

The brain's ability to cope with age-related changes or damage is called cognitive reserve. People with untreated hearing loss may have a reduced cognitive reserve. This can also increase susceptibility to dementia.

Common underlying causes

Hearing loss and dementia can also have common underlying causes. These include, for example, circulatory disorders or neurodegenerative processes that can affect both hearing and cognitive functions.

Hearing loss and dementia: does one automatically follow the other?

Not every woman or man with hearing loss necessarily develops cognitive impairment - and vice versa. Hearing loss and dementia are two separate health conditions, but they can be linked. It is true that people with untreated hearing loss have a higher risk of developing dementia (see above) - and there is evidence that improved hearing health can reduce the risk of dementia. Early detection, treatment and holistic care are therefore important to minimise the impact of both conditions and improve quality of life.

Treating hearing loss: What can be done about it?

There are various measures and treatment options for hearing loss, depending on the cause and severity. Possible approaches are

Hearing aids

They amplify sound signals and improve the audibility of sounds and speech. Hearing aids are often used to help people with age-related or mild to moderate hearing loss. In this way, the brain is challenged normally again (and no longer overtaxed).

Implantable hearing aids

For certain types of hearing loss, such as sensorineural hearing loss, implantable hearing aids such as cochlear implants or bone conduction hearing aids can be an effective solution.

Surgical interventions

In some cases, surgical treatment may be required to correct structural problems in the ear, such as the removal of tumours or the repair of middle ear lesions.

Audiological rehabilitation

Speech therapy and auditory training, for example, can help to improve speech processing and understanding of conversations.

Treat hearing loss in Frankfurt

Before we can suggest the right treatment for your hearing loss, we first need to find out where your hearing loss comes from - and how severe it is.

In our ENT clinic in Frankfurt we offer a variety of tests to check the functionality of your middle ear, inner ear and auditory pathway. These diagnostic methods include subjective procedures that require your active participation, such as tonal audiometry. We also use objective methods that do not require your active participation, such as otoacoustic emissions measurement. You can find more information about our examination methods here: Hearing and dizziness diagnostics Frankfurt

If a specific cause for your hearing loss is suspected, additional tests may be required, such as a CT scan or MRI of your inner ear and head. Occasionally, further investigations by other medical specialities are also necessary, such as cardiology or neurology. These comprehensive examinations enable us to determine the cause and severity of your hearing loss more precisely.

The therapy depends on your individual findings. Simply contact us to arrange an appointment!

Further information on the topic

We have found a few interesting articles that contain even more information on this topic:

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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Dementia, Hearing ability, Hearing loss, Treating hearing loss, Hearing loss