What do hearing loss and stress have in common? Reducing both can lead to healthier aging in the long run, including a decrease in cognitive decline.
Studies show that higher stress throughout life can lead to a greater chance of cognitive decline in one’s later years1 and that older individuals with untreated hearing loss have a 24% increase in cognitive decline.2
In honor of Healthy Aging Month this September, we invite you to take steps toward living a happier, healthier life, regardless of your current age. The sooner healthier habits take root, the better the chances that you can enjoy the things about life you love most for many decades to come.
The best place to begin is with a few easy-to-do activities that can give you an edge starting today:
- Make a habit of going on brisk walks throughout the week.
- Check in with your primary care provider if you have not had a physical exam in over a year.
- Get a hearing test to get an edge on hearing loss, a progressive condition that can enhance the effects of cognitive decline in later years.
While research shows a strong link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, it also reveals that hearing aids are proven to help. A recent University of Melbourne study found that 97% of participants who used hearing aids showed improvement in executive function, including their ability to plan, organize information, and perform common everyday tasks.3
Remember that it’s never too early to stay proactive with your health and seek treatment—even if you show no obvious symptoms of hearing loss.
Contact Hearing Focused at (262) 679–8888 to schedule a hearing test today. We offer thorough audiological testing, new hearing aids, hearing protection, and counseling for total patient satisfaction.
1 Scott SB, Graham-Engeland JE, Engeland CG, Smyth JM, Almeida DM, Katz MJ, Lipton RB, Mogle JA, Munoz E, Ram N, Sliwinski MJ. The Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology and Emotion (ESCAPE) Project. BMC Psychiatry. 2015 Jul 3;15:146. doi: 10.1186/s12888-015-0497-7. PMID: 26138700; PMCID: PMC4490700. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4490700/
2 Lin, F. R., Yaffe, K., Xia, J., Xue, Q. L., Harris, T. B., Purchase-Helzner, E., Satterfield, S., Ayonayon, H. N., Ferrucci, L., Simonsick, E. M., & Health ABC Study Group (2013). Hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults. JAMA internal medicine, 173(4), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1868
3 Sarant, J.; Harris, D.; Busby, P.; Maruff, P.; Schembri, A.; Lemke, U.; Launer, S. The Effect of Hearing Aid Use on Cognition in Older Adults: Can We Delay Decline or Even Improve Cognitive Function? J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 254. Melbourne School of Health Sciences: https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-events/new-research-shows-how-a-hearing-aid-could-help-your-brain