[NewsQuest = Science Reporter Kim Hyeong-geun]Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark in Denmark have discovered a significant link between hearing loss and an increased risk of developing dementia.
In a large survey of over 500,000 Danes, the research team provided a new perspective on the cognitive difficulties caused by hearing impairment, namely dementia.
For the investigation, the research team analyzed the personal data of 573,088 Danish adults. This study is the largest of its kind to date.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark in Denmark have demonstrated a significant link between hearing loss and an increased risk of developing dementia. In a large survey of more than 500,000 Danes, the research team found that hearing loss increases the risk of dementia by up to 13%. [사진=픽사베이]
It is mandatory to wear a hearing aid… The risk of dementia can be reduced by half
Professor Manuela Lech Cantuaria, who led the study, said: “Previous research has suggested there may be a link between hearing loss and dementia. “However, our study is larger than previous studies and demonstrates a link between hearing loss and dementia.”
Hearing loss, especially in more severe cases, requires people to expend more mental energy, which can impair other cognitive functions essential to brain health.
Cognitive functions at greatest risk for these disorders include the mental processes needed for thinking, problem solving and similar activities, the researchers explained.
The results of the study turned out to be surprising and beneficial. The research team found that people with hearing loss had up to a 13% higher risk of developing dementia than people with normal hearing.
The risk increases depending on the severity of the hearing loss. The research team explained that in case of severe hearing impairment the risk of dementia is greater than 20%.
The research team also investigated whether there were differences in the risk of dementia depending on the use of hearing aids. The results showed that hearing aids can prevent or delay the onset and progression of dementia.
“We found that people who don’t wear hearing aids have a 20% greater risk of developing dementia than people with normal hearing. People who used hearing aids had only a 6 percent increased risk of developing dementia. “This suggests that wearing a hearing aid may prevent or delay the onset of dementia,” Professor Cantuaria explained.
Professor Manuela Lech Cantuaria from the University of Southern Denmark led the study.
Hearing loss and other cognitive functions essential for brain health
Experts stressed that the implications of this study are profound, especially considering the growing number of dementia patients around the world.
Around 800,000 Danes are currently said to suffer from hearing loss and this number is expected to increase further due to increased life expectancy and noise exposure.
Dementia is a broad term that refers to a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.
It primarily affects memory, but also significantly impairs other mental functions such as reasoning, problem solving, and language skills.
Unlike normal aging, in which memory gradually declines, dementia can cause sudden and significant changes in personality, behavior, and the ability to carry out daily activities.
Dementia is a symptom that appears especially in old age, but it is not an inevitable part. The exact cause is not yet entirely clear, but factors such as genetics, lifestyle and general health are known to play a role.
There is currently no cure for most types of dementia. However, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms.
This includes a variety of treatments, such as cognitive stimulation and lifestyle changes to support brain health, as well as medications to improve symptoms or slow their progression.
Research to understand dementia continues to advance, focusing on early diagnosis, prevention strategies, and finding more effective treatments.
This study was published in the latest issue of the American journal ‘JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery’.
2024-01-07 14:59:39
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