Scientists say nearly half of dementia cases are preventable by addressing fourteen risk factors. Notably, hearing loss is also included in this list. There is a clear link between hearing loss and developing dementia. For this reason, doctors recommend getting your hearing checked promptly if you notice any decline.
The 14 dementia risk factors are:
• Less education
• Physical inactivity
• Untreated vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Depression
• Social isolation
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity (overweight)
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Brain injury
• Air pollution
The fact that hearing loss is among the risk factors can be explained. People with hearing problems often avoid social contacts. As a result, they miss out on stimuli that keep our brains active.
'Have your hearing tested early’
David van Bodegom, a physician specialising in ageing and professor of Vitality, explained in an article in the Dutch newspaper AD: "There is clear evidence of a link between hearing loss and dementia. That’s why it’s important to have your hearing tested early and to use a hearing aid if needed. If you are hard of hearing, it is difficult to follow conversations, especially in larger groups. And that is precisely so important."
About the importance of social contacts, he says: "We are social creatures. It is very important to stay in touch with people, so that we hear new stories, receive new stimuli and gain new insights."
