A simple doctor visit for a routine check of hearing function may help in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Once the doctor approves the use of hearing aids, should the test show lessened hearing functions, then a quick check in the phone book or on the Internet should lead to a miracle-ear BBB review or address for better insight. A visit to the recommended provider for miracle-ear evaluations could change a host of things for the Alzheimer’s patient.
The University of Pittsburgh has done research into the matter of hearing loss and how that can affect Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. It was found that hearing aids could significantly reduce the communication troubles at home for everyone involved. The patients were more responsive and attentive to caregivers and the job of the in home assistant was made tremendously easier because of these facts. Both patient and helper seemed to be calmer and reports of problem behavior were additionally reduced. Improving the sounds in the surroundings of home based Alzheimer’s care seems to make a huge difference in the lives of all concerned.
The Manchester Royal Infirmary also has done studies on patients diagnosed with mild dementia and hearing loss. They found that hearing aids were well accepted, and that over 40% of the tested subjects showed improvements and noted a reduction in disability due to hearing loss. Since the University of Washington also found hearing loss in Alzheimer’s patients to be significantly more than those in the same age group, but without the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, it seems that treating hearing loss in early stages can be positive for many reasons.
The University Of Southern California School Of Medicine has also done studies concerning the affects that Alzheimer’s disease has on hearing, vision, and smell. They concluded that the auditory system does not seem to be directly affected, or at least not affected in the same direct manner, as the vision nerves or sense of smell. Thus, having a hearing aid to combat the onset of age-related hearing loss could very well assist in decreasing the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Retaining the auditory functions should lessen confusion and fear for the afflicted person because communications will still be clearly heard and processed.
Being fitted for a hearing aid will in no way reduce your chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, however, it may slow the progression of symptoms and delay a diagnosis for a significant amount of time. Being able to clearly hear in your normal surroundings is very important to keeping an upbeat outlook as aging progresses. In many studies the loss of hearing has been shown to contribute to depression and the tendency to withdraw socially. So, according to auditory researchers, it is not surprising that the ability to hear clearly coincidences with happiness and the desire to socialize.
Having your hearing tested is a good thing. Your health, mental and physical, can be influenced by the loss of hearing so consider the test preventative maintenance. You may be lessening the possibility of depression and feeling left out of conversations, or you may be combating the onset of symptoms that are more serious. Hearing aids may be the best thing you do for yourself or a loved one.
