Did you know this is Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week? That's what the folks at the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) have declared. We applaud their efforts and encourage you to read their press release and access a free tool kit for health care professionals.
We've stated before that it is vitally important that people with Alzheimer's and dementia have their hearing checked and, if there's an issue, receive appropriate treatment. Untreated hearing loss in Alzheimer's and dementia patients can exacerbate symptoms such as social isolation and the inability to communicate.
Now, a new study out of Johns Hopkins finds that people who are hard of hearing have increased odds of developing dementia as they age. Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the research suggests the use of hearing aids might delay the onset of dementia.
Ellen Lafargue, Director of the Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center tells us, "More research needs to be done, but the early findings underscore the importance of regular hearing check-ups and the benefits of wearing hearing aids (if needed). We've known for a long time that people experience a better quality of life once they address their hearing issues. This study gives a compelling reason to do so sooner rather than later."
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Read more about the study
