A new UK study, known as PROTEC, has concluded that subjects who rely on a hearing aid for age-related hearing problems maintain better long-term brain function than those who do not. 

The investigation, conducted by the University of Exeter and King's College London, was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in LA. 

The online study counted with the participation of 25,000 people aged 50 or over. It builds on the research conducted by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care, which found hearing loss to be an important risk factor for dementia. PROTEC findings suggest that the use of a hearing aid may well reduce such risk. 

The Exter study consisted of having two separate groups undertake annual cognitive tests over a period of two years. At the end of said period, the group who wore hearing aids showed faster reaction times relative to working memory and attention compared to their counterpart. Such effects translated into an increased ability of the subject to concentrate and perform daily activities such as active listening. 

According to PROTECT lead Dr Anne Corbett, from the University of Exeter, hearing loss is linked to a loss of brain function, memory and dementia. The evidence suggests therefore that hearing aids could indeed protect the brain, though more research and clinical trial is required. 

Professor Clive Ballard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, says we could likely reduce dementia risk by a third if we all took action from mid life. He also states that the current study is part of a larger body of work assessing the best strategies to keep our brains healthy and has proven to have exciting potential. Furthermore, Ballard recommends everyone in need of hearing aids to wear one as, beside helping hearing better, it might well help to keep the brain sharp.

Before you leave, we have a question for our readers.

Does background noise overly interfere with your conversations? 

Do you have trouble hearing people who do not speak loudly and clearly with perfect diction? 

Making a simple decision as trying a hearing aid may seem like a small step, but it can be a huge leap to a better quality of life. Many adults live with untreated hearing loss for many reasons, particularly to avoid purchasing expensive hearing devices. Because traditional hearing aids can cost several thousands of dollars making it out of reach for the many that actually need it.

So what other options are available?

Fortunately, There is an option for people who are suffering from hearing loss but don’t want to spend thousands on a solution. Thanks to advancements in design and technology, there is no need to suffer in silence any longer.

HearBloom devices are tiny, barely visible, revolutionary hearing devices. The advanced design ensures you can hear everything that is going on around you while filtering out annoying background noise and without breaking the bank.

Whatever stage your hearing loss is at, from mild to severe, you will hear the world around you in the way nature intended.

Why anyone with hearing loss can benefit from a device like HearBloom 

As we mentioned earlier, many people are mistakenly embarrassed about hearing loss. However, hearing loss can have substantial negative side effects on your life. The good news is that using a hearing aid can counter those negative effects and offer several benefits you might not even realize: 

✅ Increased lifespan – According to Oxford Journals, a team of Icelandic researchers discovered the mortality rate for elderly people with untreated hearing loss is higher than that of people with hearing loss who wear hearing aids. 

✅ The Alzheimer’s connection – Believe it or not, there is a direct connection between hearing loss and dementia. While this connection is not fully understood, it is documented. For every 10 decibels of hearing loss the risk of dementia grows by 27%. This danger might be mitigated with the use of a hearing aid. 

✅ A better quality of life – Despite the common resistance to admitting hearing loss, several studies reveal that once people with hearing loss start using a hearing aid the quality of their social lives improves dramatically. 

Here at HearBloom, we have come on the scene to help reduce those costs, by making hearing devices more affordable & accessible for the many millions around the world who are losing their hearing.

You can find out more about our range of hearing devices below.