June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Groundbreaking research shows a close connection between our hearing and our cognitive function.
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month! We’re pleased to bring you the most up-to-date research and developments in the realm of the noggin. Want to know how to protect that grey matter inside your head? Read on, my friend, and we’ll tell you how!
Your Brain Hears, Not Your Ears
Your brain hears, not your ears! (Try saying that five times fast. Or don’t. Your choice.) You might think that the brain has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to hear. Or vice versa. Even though you can’t hear very well, your brain still functions at the same high level it always has, right? WRONG! Your ears and your brain have a closely connected, symbiotic relationship.
Did you know that you actually hear with your brain, not with your ears? Crazy, right? Research from Brandels University Professor of Neuroscience, Arthur Wingfield, PhD shows that even when people with unaddressed hearing loss perceive the words that are being spoken, their ability to remember and process the information suffers. It’s becomes more and more difficult for the brain to process information when you can’t hear properly. This is especially true for comprehension of the quick, complex speech that is a part of everyday life.
Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease
And so, when we can’t hear properly, our brain function declines rapidly. Unaddressed hearing loss affects the listener’s ability to perceive sound accurately. AND, it also impacts higher-level cognitive function.
It’s a sobering reality. The far-reaching consequences of ignoring hearing loss impact every aspect of daily life. Because it isn’t just about not being able to hear. Rather, it’s about not being able to think. Not being able to remember. And, not being able to process information quickly or effectively.
Alzheimer’s and dementia impact your mind, your relationships, your ability to function as a human being. The disease is progressive and serious.
Get a Hearing Test
So, what’s an individual to do? What is the proper response to Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month? Here’s a thought: GET A HEARING TEST! It’s a simple way to protect that connection between your brain and your ears.
Reasons to Get a Hearing Test at Decibels Audiology and Hearing Aid Center:
- PREVENT cognitive decline by making sure your brain is processing information you hear.
- A hearing test at Decibels Audiology is a lot of FUN! Yes, we are very fun people.
- It’s FREE! Totally and completely free, our comprehensive hearing exams help you understand your overall health and wellness better.
Learn more about preserving brain function by confronting hearing loss right when it begins. Contact us TODAY to set up an appointment with one of our experienced, fabulous audiologists. We want to get to know who you are, your unique needs and lifestyle, and help prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s in our community. Please don’t wait — schedule an annual hearing test. Even if you think you might not need one, schedule one. Establish a baseline, and find out how well you’re hearing over time. Your brain will thank you as the years go on.
In honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, our office wants to spread this research and help protect the minds of our fellow Southwest Floridians. Come with us in this effort! Share this information with your friends and loved ones! And contact us ASAP for a FREE HEARING TEST!