Since 1983, every November has been celebrated as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. This month is a time to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, from symptoms to causes, and to learn more about the ways to manage the disease. National rates of Alzheimer’s Disease are around 5.4 million, and this number continues to rise as the population ages. If you want to protect your brain, take the time to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, and find out how treating your hearing loss could be the best thing you can do for your brain health.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a degenerative brain disease that attacks the cells in your brain. The disease begins when proteins build up in your brain, creating dangerous structures knowns as plagues and tangles. These large groups of cells disrupt and weaken the nerve cells that form important connections in the brain. When brain cells are unable to communicate, they eventually die, and Alzheimer’s leads to a huge loss in brain tissue.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
As your brain experiences damage from the plaques and tangles, you’ll start to notice the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. It will be small things at first, like forgetting an appointment, or not knowing the date. Before long you’ll begin to struggle with simple tasks, have trouble concentrating, or be unable to communicate effectively. You might have trouble following a simple recipe or forget to turn off the stove.
As the disease progresses, you’ll have more problems communicating and will get easily confused. You might wander off and get lost and may not recognize familiar landmarks in your neighborhood. You may find it difficult to perform the tasks of daily life, like feeding yourself, or getting dressed in the morning. The most well-known sign of Alzheimer’s disease is severe memory loss, and those with advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s may not know what year it is, what they had for breakfast, something they did last week, or even be able to recognize the faces of their loved ones.
Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease
Hearing loss is closely linked with Alzheimer’s, and struggling to hear increases your chances of developing this brain disease. When you’re not hearing clearly, the lack of input from your ears weakens the auditory pathways in your brain. Those with hearing loss experience more rapid cognitive decline, and these unused areas of the brain are easily targeted by plaques and tangles that will lead to further brain cell degradation.
When you have hearing loss, you’re more likely to stay home, experience social isolation, and spend a lot of time alone. It can be embarrassing to ask someone to repeat themselves, so you might not want to meet your friends for Sunday morning coffee. You may not feel safe walking through your neighborhood since you can’t hear the traffic noises, or the kids yelling in the park when their ball is flying towards your head. If you’ve found yourself withdrawing from social situations, it is time to take action.
Treating Hearing Loss
Not only does treating hearing loss keep your brain cells active and strong, treating your hearing loss reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. When you can hear clearly, you’re more likely to be involved in social activities, meet new people, or learn a new skill. If you weren’t struggling to hear, would you accept your friend’s invitation to the ball game, take your dog out for a walk more often, or enjoy spending time with your family? All these things keep your brain active, opens new neural pathways in the brain, and fight off the progress of plaques and tangles. Not only will you be able to hear clearly, get back to doing the things you love, and find new ways to stay active and healthy, you’ll be doing the right thing for your brain health, and reducing your chances of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.
My Hearing Centers
If you’re ready to do the right thing for your brain, visit us today at My Hearing Centers for a hearing test. We’ll determine your level of hearing loss and hearing needs and recommend the perfect device that will have you hearing clearly in every listening environment.