YOUR 2025 BRAIN BRAWN • MICRO RESOLUTIONS HEARING LOSS AWARENESS

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Hearing Loss Awareness

Hello and happy Monday!

We’re concluding our month of micro resolutions with an important brain-brawn topic: Raising Hearing Loss Awareness.

Why? It is estimated that 26.8% of adults over age 65 have hearing loss. Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to social isolation (a known risk factor for dementia), depression, anxiety, falls and reduced mobility.
 
Furthermore, hearing loss has been linked to dementia. In the 80s, it was learned that patients with Alzheimer’s Disease ( a type of dementia) had twice the prevalence of hearing loss. Since then, studies continue to demonstrate the risk of dementia is higher in patients with hearing loss compared to healthy control groups, and greater hearing loss corresponds to a higher risk of cognitive decline. This has been observed in people as young as 55 years of age. Exact pathophysiology is under debate, but the current thinking is that hearing loss leads to structural and functional brain changes.  
 
Importantly, scientists estimate that if we could completely prevent or successfully treat hearing loss, we might be able to reduce the total number of dementia cases by 9% in the general population.

What can we do to stave off hearing loss and, thus, cognitive decline?

Hearing loss is considered a modifiable age-related condition because we can often prevent it or get ahead of it. Unfortunately, it is common for people with initial hearing difficulties to chalk it up to advancing age. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states that on average, people endure seven years of hearing loss before seeking treatment.
 
So let’s raise awareness and assess our own hearing!

Try this NIH survey. If the survey indicates a need for an evaluation OR if you have concerns about your hearing, contact your concierge physician and discuss the need for a hearing assessment.
 
You can locate an audiologist in your area by contacting the American Academy of Audiology. However, Medicare has limitations on patient self-referrals for audiology, so it is best to obtain a physician referral for Medicare coverage.
 
In 2022, the FDA created greater access to hearing aids by allowing them to be sold direct to consumers in store or online. An NIH study found providing hearing aids to those at risk for dementia could reduce the rate of cognitive decline by 50%.
 
If it turns out you need hearing assistance, you can purchase hearing aids at your local pharmacy or even on Amazon, ranging in price from $99-$3000. Keep in mind at this time, original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or fittings.

This concludes a month of micro resolutions. If you have any questions about anything we covered this month, please reach out! Otherwise, we’ll see you next week for a special edition of Motivated Mondays!