Baycrest

Hearing is a key factor in healthy aging H earing loss can have devastating effects on an individual's communication abilities and his or her participation in social activities. Clinically significant hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in older adults, affecting approximately 90% of individuals aged 80 years and older. Hearing loss and cognitive impairment can have many similar symptoms, for example, requests for repetition. For instance, if an older adult arrives late to an appointment, it may be because she/he didn't hear it when they were told to be there at a certain time. It is not necessarily a result of being confused about the time. Although hearing loss is so prevalent in older adults, treatment uptake is low. Aging adults often do not report their hearing problems to their doctor and typically wait up to 10 years to seek treatment for hearing loss. Unfortunately, this delay may have devastating effects for an older adult's brain health. "Recent research underlines the important connection between hearing health and many other aspects of healthy aging," says Dr. Kate Dupuis, postdoctoral fellow in Baycrest Audiology. "For instance, seniors with greater degrees of hearing loss are at a higher risk of developing dementia than those with better hearing. We don't yet know the exact reason for this connection, but one important possibility is that seniors with hearing loss are at risk for social isolation, which may lead to loneliness, depression and a decline in their levels of cognitive stimulation. These factors can in turn affect their brain health." At Baycrest, a research team is investigating the connection between hearing loss and brain health and developing improved treatment options for clients with cognitive decline. Numerous treatment options are available for individuals with hearing loss, including the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Marilyn Reed, Practice Advisor in Baycrest Audiology, says: "We often see that once a client starts wearing a hearing aid regularly, what was once thought to be a problem with memory or other aspects of their thinking skills may improve." If you or a loved one have concerns or are experiencing hearing difficulities, an audiologist can help to find suitable hearing aids or assistive devices. In addition, there are strategies available to facilitate communication for the hearing impaired in everyday life. Some examples include: sitting facing another speaker to facilitate lip reading and seeking out quieter spaces to socialize. If you or a loved one are concerned about hearing loss, or for more information visit: www.baycrest.org/hearinghelp or call Baycrest Audiology at 416-785-2500 ext. 2377. "Seniors with hearing loss are at risk for social isolation..." BrainMatters WINTER 2016 7

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