2024-01-07 14:59:39
[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 an extensive survey conducted on more than 500,000 Danish people, the research team provided a new perspective on the cognitive difficulties caused by hearing impairment, namely dementia.
For the survey, the research team analyzed personal data from 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 an extensive survey of more than 500,000 Danes, the research team found that hearing loss increased the risk of dementia by up to 13%. [사진=픽사베이]
Wearing a hearing aid is required… Dementia risk can be reduced by half
Professor Manuela Lech Cantuaria, who led the study, said: “Previous research has suggested that 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,” she emphasized.
Hearing loss, especially in severe cases, requires the person to expend more mental energy listening, which May Impair Other Cognitive Functions Essential to Brain Health.
Cognitive functions at higher risk for these impairments include mental processes required for thinking, problem solving, and similar activities, the researchers explained.
The results of the study turned out to be both surprising and beneficial. The research team found that people with hearing loss had up to a 13% increased risk of developing dementia compared to people with normal hearing.
The risk increases depending on the severity of hearing loss. The research team explained that in cases of severe hearing impairment, the risk of dementia is 20% higher.
The research team also investigated whether there was any difference in dementia risk depending on hearing aid use. Results showed that hearing aids can prevent or delay the onset and progression of dementia.
“We found that people who do not wear hearing aids have a 20% higher risk of developing dementia compared to people with normal hearing. People who used hearing aids had only a 6% increased risk of developing dementia. “This suggests that wearing a hearing aid can prevent or delay the onset of dementia,” Professor Cantuaria explained.
Professor Manuela Lech Cantuaria of the University of Southern Denmark led the study.
Hearing loss and other cognitive functions essential to brain health
Experts pointed out that the implications of this study are profound, especially considering the increasing number of dementia patients worldwide.
They say around 800,000 Danes currently suffer from hearing loss, and that number is expected to rise further due to rising 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 mainly affects memory, but it 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 perform daily tasks.
Dementia is a symptom that mainly appears in old age, but it is not an inevitable part. The exact cause is not yet fully understood, but factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall 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, with a focus on early detection, prevention strategies, and finding more effective treatments.
This study was published in the latest issue of the American journal ‘JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery’.
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