{"id":634,"date":"2022-03-17T00:54:04","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T00:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torranceaudiology.com\/?p=634"},"modified":"2022-03-17T00:54:04","modified_gmt":"2022-03-17T00:54:04","slug":"study-finds-unexpected-brain-shrinkage-in-patients-with-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torranceaudiology.com\/study-finds-unexpected-brain-shrinkage-in-patients-with-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Finds Unexpected Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists have known about the connection between hearing loss and dementia<\/a> for some time. A new study looking at changes in the brain of patients with hearing loss and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease (AD) may offer more insight as to why.<\/p>\n

Previous Research on Hearing Loss and Dementia \"Doctor<\/h2>\n

A previous study from John Hopkins University found that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy<\/a> in the brain. The same research also shows that hearing loss is associated with a higher risk of dementia. The more severe the hearing loss the higher the risk of cognitive decline becomes.<\/p>\n

Changes in Brain Structure May Explain Hearing Loss Link<\/h2>\n

A 2020 study from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine compared MRIs of people with AD and hearing loss to those with AD and normal hearing. They found a higher incidence of shrinkage in the brainstem and cerebellum<\/a> in patients with both hearing loss and AD.<\/p>\n

Researchers were intrigued by these findings. They had expected to find changes to the temporal lobe, as that is the brain\u2019s auditory and language processing center.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a surprising finding but one that relates to newer studies that link Alzheimer\u2019s Disease with dysfunction in auditory function<\/a> which requires cerebellar activation,\u201d said Susie Kwok, medical student and collaborator on the study.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dan Llano, lead researcher and associate professor of biomedical and translational science at Carle Illinois, is optimistic that this research could aid in the discovery of early intervention measures.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope is that eventually, this work will help us to come up with better diagnostic and treatment strategies for Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and dementia more generally,\u201d said Llano.<\/p>\n

Using Hearing Aids to Protect Your Mind<\/h2>\n

One intervention method that may prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline and dementia is treating hearing loss with hearing aids.<\/a><\/p>\n

While researchers don\u2019t quite know what fuels the connection between hearing loss and dementia, it\u2019s believed that a lack of brain stimulation plays a part. Hearing loss decreases brain stimulation in several ways:<\/p>\n