Hearing loss a clue for early detection of Alzheimer's disease?

There are lots of reasons why you might put off visiting an Audiologist to get your hearing checked. You may just be busy or you might think that your hearing difficulties are just part and parcel of getting older.

Whatever the reason, getting your hearing health checked with an Audiologist at Allison Audiology is essential if you want to continue to enjoy all that life has to offer. Hearing loss is by and large treatable, which means you can see your quality of life significantly improve. But there is more to it than that as shown in a recent study that revealed the early detection of hearing loss can assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. And early diagnosis means early treatment to slow the progression of this disease.

Why is it important to detect Alzheimer’s early?

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition affecting the brain. It affects 1 in 10 Americans and is more common in the elderly. It leads to loss of memory and cognitive function as well as disorientation and a lack of concern about self-care. It often starts slowly and then gets worse as time goes on.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments that can slow the progression of the symptoms, giving patients a better quality of life for longer. The earlier these treatments are given, the more effective they are, which is why early diagnosis is key.

What’s the relationship between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s?

There are some consequences of hearing loss that are also linked to Alzheimer’s. These include social isolation, confusion and an inability to follow conversations. Knowing whether these effects are due to hearing loss, Alzheimer’s or both can make a big difference in getting the right treatment.
Getting a hearing evaluation will get to the bottom of what role hearing loss has to play. If hearing loss doesn’t seem to be the main culprit, this could hint at something else, such as Alzheimer’s.

A patient can then see their physician for further investigations and get the treatment they need.

At Allison Audiology we are committed to providing patients with the support they need at every stage of hearing loss. Book your hearing evaluation with us today and ensure you get to enjoy life to the full. Whatever the results of your evaluation we will be on hand to guide you through the appropriate treatments and advise you on how to best manage your hearing health.