Wearing hearing aids can dramatically reduce the risk of dementia, depression and serious falls. A study found the risk of developing dementia within 3 years of being diagnosed with hearing loss fell by 18% for those who used hearing aids, compared to non users.The risk of falls also fell by 13% and depression by 11%.
The study in USA of 115,000 people concluded that those with hearing loss have more adverse health events
Around 7 million Britons could benefit from aids but only 2 million use them.
With the number of people with hearing loss set to sore to 1 in 5 by 2035 and with the link to dementia increasingly clear more must be done to encourage greater take up of hearing aids.
Extracts from article by Andrew Gregory