A study recently claimed that tackling hearing loss can reduce the risk of dementia – but a survey of 3,000 Brits found that 55% have shown at least one sign of hearing loss
Dementia is the health condition that most Brits fear developing, yet a staggering three out of four are unaware that hearing loss can trigger its onset. A recent study suggested that addressing hearing loss could lower the risk of dementia.
However, a survey of 3,000 adults revealed that 55% have noticed at least one sign of deteriorating hearing. One in four struggle to hear speech clearly in noisy environments like pubs, and 18% frequently ask people to repeat themselves.
Meanwhile, 17% constantly experience ringing in their ears, and 13% always use subtitles when watching TV. Despite these signs, 61% have no plans to get their hearing checked in the next year.
In light of these findings, TV’s Dr Hilary Jones has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society and Hidden Hearing, who commissioned the research, to raise awareness about the connection between hearing loss and dementia. The Good Morning Britain GP is urging Brits as young as 30 to take better care of their hearing when they notice changes.
He stated: “Dementia is the health condition many of us are most concerned about as we get older, yet awareness of the lifestyle change scientists have identified as most significant for reducing our risk preventing and managing hearing loss is still incredibly low. Mild hearing loss doubles the risk; moderate loss triples it and severe loss increases it by up to five times.”
“If you are having to put subtitles on the TV, can’t hear people where there’s background noise, or are experiencing ringing in your ears, these are common signs of age-related hearing loss which can start as early as in your 30s. We need to do more to push hearing up the health agenda its link with our wider physical and mental health from 30 into midlife and beyond is not being talked about enough.”
The study revealed that dementia tops the list of health worries for adults as they get older (37%), even more so than heart attacks or heart disease (31%). The worry about dementia is most prevalent among adults aged between 40 and 74 the demographic eligible for free NHS checks to help prevent and manage the condition.
However, a mere 22% have taken advantage of an appointment for one of these complimentary GP checks. Among those eligible for a free NHS check-up, a staggering nine out of 10 (85%) have never received advice from a healthcare professional about caring for their hearing or getting it tested.
A paltry 7% of them have had a hearing test over the past year, with just an additional 15 per cent considering doing so. In stark contrast, 62% have had, or are contemplating, an eye test.
Laura Ewen, a senior audiologist at Hidden Hearing, which is donating £1 to the Alzheimer’s Society for every hearing test booked in the week leading up to Alzheimer’s Awareness day on September 21, said: “The signs of hearing loss often develop slowly over time, making them difficult for the person affected to notice them.”
“Knowing what the signs are can help us all to take steps to improve our hearing and reduce our risk of dementia. Getting your hearing tested if you notice any change, and every two years after the age of 55, is a simple change we can all make. Unlike eye tests, a hearing test is free on the high-street and you don’t need to see a GP first to book a test.”
SIX EARLY SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS:
- Difficulty following conversations – You have difficulty following conversations when there’s one or more people, or when there’s background noise.
- Phone conversations are unclear – You have trouble following phone conversations, both in quiet and noisy places.
- People seem to be mumbling – You often ask people to repeat themselves due to sounds not being clear.
- Difficulty locating sounds – You find it tricky pinpointing where sounds are coming from, which can be confusing.
- Signs of tinnitus – You experience ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, which is known as tinnitus.
- Turning up the TV too loud – Your friends and family say you have the TV up too loud when they come over, or when you visit them.