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Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
Date: 17/11/11
It's probably not something many of us will notice when we're young. In fact, those living in densely populated areas and noisy cities might even think that it's normal to sometimes experience a bit of hearing difficulty...
However, when hearing problems start occurring at an early age and not just after a long night out at a noisy concert, they could indicate a serious health threat.
Pardon me, say that again?
US researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital gave hearing tests to nearly 640 dementia-free subjects, aged 36 to 90, between 1990 and 1994. They then followed the development of dementia in the same subjects until 2008.
The results showed a clear link between hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease. In subjects with severe hearing loss, the risk of age- related cognitive decline was even bigger.
The researchers didn't go so far as to say that hearing loss contributes to dementia, but they did suggest this might be the case when hearing difficulty caused social isolation or mental exhaustion — both of which contribute to dementia, especially when they're combined.
Neurologist, Dr Richard B. Lipton, offers further clues as to why hearing loss might indicate the onset of dementia later in life. He says that nerve cell damage inside the ear indicates that some of the inner ear structure is restricted. This disrupts the vibration patterns the inner mechanisms of the ear require to produce sound. This is why Dr Lipton thinks that when there's damage to the neurons that mediate hearing, there may also be similar damage to the nerve cells involved in forming memories and brain function.
If diminished hearing is a nuisance in your life, it's time to see it as more than just an annoyance.
Risky business
Apart from listening to music at full-blast for long periods of time over a number of years, there are a few other things that may aggravate hearing loss. Some cases have been linked to zinc, folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies. Extended use of powerful drugs such as chemotherapy, antibiotics and intravenous diuretics can also contribute to hearing loss.
If you're concerned about developing Alzheimer's or dementia, there's a few things you can do to address the looming risk before it's too late.
Studies have shown that patients were at higher risk of cognitive impairment, if they were deficient in the following nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex, niacin (vitamin B3), vitamins C & E and beta-carotene.
A US study from Columbia University showed that a strict Mediterranean diet helps prevent dementia as well as silent strokes that damage the brain without causing symptoms. And of course, all the nutrients listed above are delivered in abundance in the Mediterranean diet.
Finally, US researchers at the University of Kansas used MRI brain scans and treadmill tests to illustrate a significant link between poor fitness levels and the rapid deterioration of the hippocampus, in participants over the age of 60 with Alzheimer's disease. The hippocampus is the area of your brain that stores memories, and it deteriorates with the onset of Alzheimer's.
Preventing Alzheimer's might not be as simple as eating well and getting enough exercise, but it's a very good place to start... As for hearing loss? Research has shown that ginkgo biloba supplements may relieve some symptoms.
Sources:
"Hearing Loss and Incident Dementia" Archives of Neurology, Vol. 68, No. 2, February 2011, archneur.ama-assn.org
"Study Suggests Hearing Loss-Dementia Link" Alan Mozes, HealthDay News, 2/14/11, healthday.com
"Is Diet Soda Linked to Heart, Stroke Risk?" Charlene Laino, WebMD Health News, webmd.com
New Research Shows that People with Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy" Alzheimer's Association, 7/27/08, alz.org
"Brain Scans Show Signs of Early Alzheimer's: Study" Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters Health, 3/15/10, reutershealth.com
Back to topHowever, when hearing problems start occurring at an early age and not just after a long night out at a noisy concert, they could indicate a serious health threat.
Pardon me, say that again?
US researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital gave hearing tests to nearly 640 dementia-free subjects, aged 36 to 90, between 1990 and 1994. They then followed the development of dementia in the same subjects until 2008.
The results showed a clear link between hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease. In subjects with severe hearing loss, the risk of age- related cognitive decline was even bigger.
The researchers didn't go so far as to say that hearing loss contributes to dementia, but they did suggest this might be the case when hearing difficulty caused social isolation or mental exhaustion — both of which contribute to dementia, especially when they're combined.
Neurologist, Dr Richard B. Lipton, offers further clues as to why hearing loss might indicate the onset of dementia later in life. He says that nerve cell damage inside the ear indicates that some of the inner ear structure is restricted. This disrupts the vibration patterns the inner mechanisms of the ear require to produce sound. This is why Dr Lipton thinks that when there's damage to the neurons that mediate hearing, there may also be similar damage to the nerve cells involved in forming memories and brain function.
If diminished hearing is a nuisance in your life, it's time to see it as more than just an annoyance.
Risky business
Apart from listening to music at full-blast for long periods of time over a number of years, there are a few other things that may aggravate hearing loss. Some cases have been linked to zinc, folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies. Extended use of powerful drugs such as chemotherapy, antibiotics and intravenous diuretics can also contribute to hearing loss.
If you're concerned about developing Alzheimer's or dementia, there's a few things you can do to address the looming risk before it's too late.
Studies have shown that patients were at higher risk of cognitive impairment, if they were deficient in the following nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex, niacin (vitamin B3), vitamins C & E and beta-carotene.
A US study from Columbia University showed that a strict Mediterranean diet helps prevent dementia as well as silent strokes that damage the brain without causing symptoms. And of course, all the nutrients listed above are delivered in abundance in the Mediterranean diet.
Finally, US researchers at the University of Kansas used MRI brain scans and treadmill tests to illustrate a significant link between poor fitness levels and the rapid deterioration of the hippocampus, in participants over the age of 60 with Alzheimer's disease. The hippocampus is the area of your brain that stores memories, and it deteriorates with the onset of Alzheimer's.
Preventing Alzheimer's might not be as simple as eating well and getting enough exercise, but it's a very good place to start... As for hearing loss? Research has shown that ginkgo biloba supplements may relieve some symptoms.
Sources:
"Hearing Loss and Incident Dementia" Archives of Neurology, Vol. 68, No. 2, February 2011, archneur.ama-assn.org
"Study Suggests Hearing Loss-Dementia Link" Alan Mozes, HealthDay News, 2/14/11, healthday.com
"Is Diet Soda Linked to Heart, Stroke Risk?" Charlene Laino, WebMD Health News, webmd.com
New Research Shows that People with Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy" Alzheimer's Association, 7/27/08, alz.org
"Brain Scans Show Signs of Early Alzheimer's: Study" Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters Health, 3/15/10, reutershealth.com
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