Hearing loss can affect your memory. If left untreated, you can become more susceptible to cognitive decline, and even dementia or Alzheimer’s. Hearing loss is already known to cause stress, anxiety, depression, and the feeling of loneliness, but memory loss as a side effect may be the most unknown and important. It’s necessary to take care of your hearing.

If you have a broken bone, you go to the doctor right away. Just because you cannot physically see your hearing loss doesn’t mean it’s not equally, if not more, important. Not being able to see your hearing loss is not a reason to ignore it and procrastinate visiting an audiologist in Omaha, NE. At Active Hearing Health, we make it a priority to provide care and help you hear better and longer.

How hearing and memory loss are connected

The brain comprehends the sounds that come through the ear. If your ears are not transmitting sounds to the brain correctly, you won’t be able to hear it right away or remember it down the road. When your brain has to focus more on figuring out what is being said in the moment, it is less likely that you’ll retain the information. It’s all connected.

Hearing is key to communication and a quality of life. When all the energy is being exhausted by trying to hear, there won’t be any energy left to actually store the information. Months or years later, when you’re trying to remember that conversation or moment in time, you might struggle to bring it back up to the surface because it wasn’t able to be stored properly.

Signs your hearing is affecting your memory

Common things you might be experiencing with hearing-related memory loss are feelings of forgetfulness, repeatedly asking the same questions, feeling lost in places you were once familiar with, a hard time following directions, and confusion related to time, people and places. 

Hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline to some extent, relating to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Hearing loss can affect the aging brain, causing more strain and forcing the brain to have to work harder than it should. Hearing loss is attributed to 8% of dementia cases. 

Keep your hearing and memory healthy by visiting an audiologist in Omaha, NE

A lack of mental activity can also affect your memory, and keeping your brain active can reduce a decline in your memory. Making time each day to move your body, eat regularly and healthily, get enough sleep, reading, and taking part in social outings can help keep your brain active.

Getting your hearing tested early and regularly is a must when it comes to prolonging your memory. Using hearing aids if you need them can also assist with hearing-related memory loss, and can even help you hear better than before. Visiting an audiologist in Omaha, NE has an abundance of benefits, and it will keep both your hearing and memory in good condition. If you have any questions and want to schedule a hearing test, contact us today.