http://www.swiftaudiology.com/ Washington, DC, September 19, 2011 – In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day, which is recognized around the globe each year on September 21, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is raising awareness of the association between hearing health and Alzheimer’s disease and is underscoring the importance of addressing hearing loss for the benefit of overall cognitive function.

1. Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease and
Hearing Health Highlighted by BHI for World
Alzheimer’s Day
Washington, DC, September 19, 2011 – In
recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day, which is
recognized around the globe each year on
September 21, the Better Hearing Institute
(BHI) is raising awareness of the association
between hearing health and Alzheimer’s disease
and is underscoring the importance of
addressing hearing loss for the benefit of overall cognitive
function.
According to a study published in the Archives of Neurology, older
adults with hearing loss appear more likely to develop dementia,
and their risk increases as hearing loss becomes more severe.
The researchers found that the risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease specifically increased with hearing loss. For every 10
decibels of hearing loss, the extra risk of developing Alzheimer’s
increased by 20 percent.
―There is strong evidence that hearing impairment contributes to
the progression of cognitive dysfunction in older adults,‖ says
Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI’s Executive Director. ―Unmanaged
hearing loss can interrupt the cognitive processing of spoken
language and sound, exhaust cognitive reserve, and lead to social
isolation—regardless of other coexisting conditions.
But when an individual has both Alzheimer’s and hearing loss,
many of the symptoms of hearing loss can interact with those
common to Alzheimer’s, making the disease more difficult than it
might be if the hearing loss had been addressed.‖
Swift Audiology And Hearing Aid Service
1-877-459-4413

2. Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide
range of physical and emotional conditions, including impaired
memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness,
increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger,
fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological
and overall health.
According to a study at Brandeis University, older adults with mild
to moderate hearing loss expended so much cognitive energy on
trying to hear accurately that it diminished their ability to
remember a short word list. As a result, their cognitive function
was poorer than those individuals of the same age that had good
hearing.
Studies also have shown that although a significantly higher
percentage of patients with Alzheimer’s disease may have hearing
loss, they are much less likely to receive attention for their
hearing needs than their normally aging peers.
Research has shown that the use of hearing aids, especially in
combination with appropriate aural rehabilitation in a
multidisciplinary setting, has helped to reduce Alzheimer’s
patients’ symptoms of depression, passivity, negativism,
disorientation, anxiety, social isolation, feelings of helplessness,
loss of independence and general cognitive decline.
―A comprehensive hearing assessment should be part of any
Alzheimer’s diagnosis and any hearing loss should be addressed,‖
says Kochkin. ―Most hearing loss can be managed with hearing
aids. By addressing hearing loss, we can help improve quality-of-
life for people with Alzheimer’s so they can live as fully as
possible. These individual’s—and their families and caregivers—
face many challenges. Untreated hearing loss shouldn’t have to
be one of them.‖
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Swift Audiology And Hearing Aid Service
1-877-459-4413

3. Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and
accounts for 50 to 60 percent of all cases. Dementia is a
collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes,
which affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion.
For more information call us at 1-877-459-4413
or visit http://www.swiftaudiology.com/
Swift Audiology And Hearing Aid Service
1-877-459-4413