Celebrate World Alzheimer's Month with a Hearing Test!

It’s World Alzheimer’s Month! The month of September is recognized as World Alzheimer’s Month. It’s promoted by Alzheimer’s Disease International with the goal of raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. There are more than 50 million people worldwide who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and as the world population grows, this number will also increase. We want you to have all the information about Alzheimer’s disease, and learn more about how you can lower your risk of dementia. Celebrate World Alzheimer’s Month by finding out a bit more about Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Explained

Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain. It’s a degenerative disease, which means that it will get worse as time passes. Alzheimer’s disease is a kind of dementia, and common symptoms include memory loss of confusion. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the growth of harmful cells in the brain. These cells are plaques and tangles, and they can disrupt neural networks in the brain and lead to poor brain functioning. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the symptoms will get worse.

Common Symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

You may already be familiar with some of the common symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These symptoms can include:

Memory loss for important information or recent events
Feeling lost or confused in familiar places
Having a hard time with everyday tasks like getting dressed or making breakfast
Changes in judgement, like going outside without a coat on a winter day
Noticeable changes in mood or personality

Have you noticed the early warning signs of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one? Make an appointment with your doctor to find out more about Alzheimer’s disease and what you can do to manage these symptoms.

Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease

Hearing loss is one of the risk factors for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. That’s because hearing loss also affects brain function. Hearing loss can impact the brain’s neural networks. As you live with untreated hearing loss, the auditory centers in the brain don’t receive as many sound signals as they used to. The neural pathways related to hearing aren’t being used effectively, and this can lead to cell damage or even death. As the neural networks in the brain weaken, it’s easier for plaques and tangles to grow. People living with untreated hearing loss have a higher risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease than people who treat their hearing loss.

Isolation and Alzheimer’s Disease

Is hearing loss isolating you from your family and friends? Hearing loss can often lead to social isolation and increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. When you have hearing loss, you have a hard time communicating with your loved ones. You struggle to maintain your close connections, and you may not have as many social interactions as before. You might even choose to stay home alone rather than meet with groups of friends where you might have a hard time hearing.

This social isolation can increase your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Being social is good for your cognitive health since it keeps your brain active. It gives you the right kind of mental exercise to maintain the neural networks in your brain. When you treat your hearing loss you will be able to effortlessly communicate with loved ones. You’ll have no problem hearing, even in complex listening situations. With hearing aids you’ll be more socially and physically active and keep your brain healthy.